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Bio 131 > Final Unit: Transcription and RNA Processing > Flashcards

Final Unit: Transcription and RNA Processing Flashcards

1
Q

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

A

DNA –> mRNA –> Protein

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2
Q

What is a simple summary of transcription?

A

Transcribe an RNA copy of the DNA instruction

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3
Q

Where does transcription occur in Eukaryotes? Prokaryotes?

A

Nucleus. Cytoplasm.

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4
Q

What are four key differences between RNA Synthesis and DNA Synthesis?

A
  1. rNTP (ribonucleoside triphosphate) instead of dNTP (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate)
  2. Only one template strand of DNA is used for RNA synthesis
  3. No primer is needed in RNA synthesis
  4. RNA is much more unstable and short-lived
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5
Q

Is RNA from transcription single or double stranded?

A

Single

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6
Q

Is the RNA from transcription complementary or non-complementary to the DNA template strand?

A

Complementary

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7
Q

What are the 5 types of RNA?

A
  1. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
  2. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA)
  3. Transfer RNA (tRNA)
  4. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
  5. Micro RNA (miRNA)
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8
Q

What is mRNA’s role?

A

To specify polypeptides

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9
Q

What is snRNA’s role?

A

Key component of a spliceosome

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10
Q

What is tRNA’s role?

A

Deliver amino acids

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11
Q

What is rRNA’s role?

A

Involved with ribosomes

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12
Q

What is miRNA’s role?

A

Block expression of mRNAs

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13
Q

The RNA produced from transcription is identical to the DNA _______ strand with the exception of what:

A

DNA nontemplate strand, T replaced with U

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14
Q

Which enzyme is the workhorse of transcription?

A

RNA Polymerase

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15
Q

What direction does RNA polymerase work in?

A

5’ to 3’

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16
Q

How many RNA Polymerases are in bacteria?

A

1

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17
Q

How many RNA Polymerases are in eukaryotes?

A

3 (I, II, III)

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17
Q

What part of DNA does RNA synthesis occur in?

A

A locally unwound segment of DNA

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18
Q

What is a gene?

A

A unit of genetic information that controls the synthesis of one protein/structural RNA molecule

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19
Q

What is a transcriptional unit?

A

The stretch of DNA that is transcribed into RNA

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20
Q

In addition to a segment of DNA, what are the components of a transcriptional unit?

A

Promotor, Introns, Exons, and Terminator

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21
Q

What does +1 refer to?

A

Transcription site

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22
Q

Before the initiation site is referred to…

A

Upstream

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23
Q

Is upstream + or -? 5’ or 3’?

A

(-) and 5’

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24
Q

After the initiation site is referred to…

A

Downstream

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25
Q

Is downstream + or -? 5’ or 3’?

A

+ and 3’

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26
Q

What is the name for the strand read by RNA polymerase?

A

Template strand

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27
Q

What are three names for the strand read by RNA polymerase?

A

Template, non-coding, antisense

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27
Q

What are three names for the strand not read by RNA polymerase?

A

Non-template, coding, sense

28
Q

Why is coding strand an appropriate name for the strand that is not read by RNA polymerase?

A

The sequence of the coding strand matches the sequence of the RNA that is transcribed from the template strand (except T is replaced with U)

29
Q

What are the three stages of transcription in prokaryotes?

A

Initiation, Elongation, Termination

30
Q

PROKARYOTES: In initiation, what is the role of sigma?

A

Helps place RNA polymerase onto DNA template

31
Q

PROKARYOTES: In initiation, sigma and RNA polymerase together form a …

A

Holoenzyme

32
Q

PROKARYOTES: In initiation, after how many ribonucleotides is sigma no longer needed?

33
Q

PROKARYOTES: What are the two important parts of the promoter?

A

-10 box and -35 box

34
Q

PROKARYOTES: Where is the -10 box found?

A

10 bases upstream from the transcription start site

35
Q

PROKARYOTES: What is the sequence of the -10 box?

36
Q

PROKARYOTES: Where is the -35 box found?

A

35 base pairs upstream from the transcription start site

37
Q

PROKARYOTES: What is the sequence of the -35 box?

38
Q

PROKARYOTES: What four key things happen in initiation?

A
  1. Sigma factor recognizes the promoter region
  2. RNA polymerase attaches
  3. DNA strands separate to form open complex
  4. Polymerization begins
39
Q

PROKARYOTES: How long is the new RNA strand associated with the template strand?

A

Only temporarily

40
Q

PROKARYOTES: Does elongation need sigma factor?

41
Q

PROKARYOTES: What are the two key events in elongation?

A
  1. SIgma factor released
  2. RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA using the template strand
42
Q

PROKARYOTES: When does termination occur?

A

When RNA polymerase reaches the termination sequence

43
Q

PROKARYOTES: What happens when the termination sequence is reached?

A

RNA polymerase and newly-made mRNA dissociate from DNA

44
Q

PROKARYOTES: What happens when the termination sequence is transcribed?

A

A hairpin structure is formed

45
Q

EUKARYOTES: Why is everything more complicated in eukaryotes?

A

mRNA has to leave the nucleus

46
Q

EUKARYOTES: What features of eukaryotic transcription are identical to prokaryotes?

A

Basic features

47
Q

EUKARYOTES: Which form of RNA polymerase transcribes mRNA?

A

RNA Polymerase II

48
Q

EUKARYOTES: How many basal transcription factors are needed to initiate transcription?

49
Q

EUKARYOTES: Many eukaryotic promoters include a unique sequence called the ______

50
Q

EUKARYOTES: Where is the TATA box located?

A

About 30 basepairs upstream of the transcription start site

51
Q

EUKARYOTES: Do eukaryotes use sigma proteins?

52
Q

What is the main difference between the RNA product of bacteria vs the RNA product of eukaryotes?

A

In bacteria, DNA is converted to mRNA directly. In eukaryotes, the product is transcription is called pre-mRNA. It needs further processing before translation.

53
Q

EUKARYOTES: What are the three steps of RNA Processing?

A

Capping, Splicing, Tailing

54
Q

EUKARYOTES: The protein-coding regions of eukaryotic genes are interrupted by _______ regions

A

Non-coding

55
Q

EUKARYOTES: What are the coding regions of eukaryotic genes called?

56
Q

EUKARYOTES: What are the intervening noncoding sequences of eukaryotic genes called?

57
Q

EUKARYOTES: Are exons or introns in the final mRNA?

58
Q

EUKARYOTES: What is the process that removes introns?

59
Q

EUKARYOTES: What splices the RNA?

A

Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs)

60
Q

EUKARYOTES: What do the snRNPs form in splicing?

A

Spliceosome

61
Q

EUKARYOTES: What are the 4 steps of RNA Splicing?

A
  1. snRNPs bind to intron
  2. snRNPs assemble to form the spliceosome
  3. Intron is cut
  4. Intron is released and exons are joined together
62
Q

EUKARYOTES: What is alternative splicing?

A

Making different mRNA transcripts from different combinations of exons

63
Q

EUKARYOTES: What is added to the 5’ end of pre-mRNA?

64
Q

EUKARYOTES: What does the 5’ cap consist of?

A

A modified Guanine nucleotide

64
Q

EUKARYOTES: What is the role of the 5’ cap?

A

Serves as a recognition signal for translation

65
Q

EUKARYOTES: What is added to the 3’ end of pre-mRNA?

A

Poly(A) tail

66
Q

EUKARYOTES: What does the Poly(A) tail consist of?

A

A bunch of As

67
Q

EUKARYOTES: What is the role of the Poly(A) tail?

A

Protects mRNA from degradation

Bio 131 (25 decks)

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