Final Unit: Transcription and RNA Processing Flashcards
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA –> mRNA –> Protein
What is a simple summary of transcription?
Transcribe an RNA copy of the DNA instruction
Where does transcription occur in Eukaryotes? Prokaryotes?
Nucleus. Cytoplasm.
What are four key differences between RNA Synthesis and DNA Synthesis?
- rNTP (ribonucleoside triphosphate) instead of dNTP (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate)
- Only one template strand of DNA is used for RNA synthesis
- No primer is needed in RNA synthesis
- RNA is much more unstable and short-lived
Is RNA from transcription single or double stranded?
Single
Is the RNA from transcription complementary or non-complementary to the DNA template strand?
Complementary
What are the 5 types of RNA?
- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Small nuclear RNA (snRNA)
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
- Micro RNA (miRNA)
What is mRNA’s role?
To specify polypeptides
What is snRNA’s role?
Key component of a spliceosome
What is tRNA’s role?
Deliver amino acids
What is rRNA’s role?
Involved with ribosomes
What is miRNA’s role?
Block expression of mRNAs
The RNA produced from transcription is identical to the DNA _______ strand with the exception of what:
DNA nontemplate strand, T replaced with U
Which enzyme is the workhorse of transcription?
RNA Polymerase
What direction does RNA polymerase work in?
5’ to 3’
How many RNA Polymerases are in bacteria?
1
How many RNA Polymerases are in eukaryotes?
3 (I, II, III)
What part of DNA does RNA synthesis occur in?
A locally unwound segment of DNA
What is a gene?
A unit of genetic information that controls the synthesis of one protein/structural RNA molecule
What is a transcriptional unit?
The stretch of DNA that is transcribed into RNA
In addition to a segment of DNA, what are the components of a transcriptional unit?
Promotor, Introns, Exons, and Terminator
What does +1 refer to?
Transcription site
Before the initiation site is referred to…
Upstream
Is upstream + or -? 5’ or 3’?
(-) and 5’
After the initiation site is referred to…
Downstream
Is downstream + or -? 5’ or 3’?
+ and 3’
What is the name for the strand read by RNA polymerase?
Template strand
What are three names for the strand read by RNA polymerase?
Template, non-coding, antisense