DNA and Protein Synthesis Flashcards
Gene
Section of DNA that codes for a polypeptide chain of functional RNA
Locus
Precise location of gene on chromosome
Intron and Exon
Intron - non coding
Exon - coding
Unambiguous
Each codon only codes for one amino acid
Degenerate
Amino acids are coded for by more than one codon
Non overlapping
Each base is only part of one codon
Universal
Each codon codes for the same amino acid in (almost) all organisms
Start codon
Methionine (AUG) is at the start of every polypeptide chain and is removed if not needed
Stop codon
Do not code for any amino acid
DNA in Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic cells
- shorter vs longer
- circular vs linear
- not associated with proteins vs histones
- none vs chromosomes
DNA-histone complex
DNA molecule coils around histones which act like spools allows DNA to condense and form nucleosomes
Codon
Refers to a sequence of three bases that codes for a single amino acid
Genome
Complete set of genes in a cell including those in mitochondria and chloroplasts
Proteome
Full range of proteins produced by the genome
rRNA
Found in ribosomes
Features of mRNA
- single stranded
- varies in length depending on gene transcribed
- template for protein synthesis