Finals 2022 : Protein Synthesis (and Gene Expression) Flashcards
Adenine Definition
A compound which is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids.
Paired with thymine in double-stranded DNA.
Paired with Uracil in RNA.
Amino Acid Definition
Special organic molecule used by living organisms to make proteins. (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen). They are formed from codons.
- Bonded together into long chains which fold into a three-dimensional shape.
- Every amino acid is made up of a foundational molecule, which is the same for all amino acids.
- There are 20 different “R” groups, resulting in 20 different amino acids.
- Amino acids are joined in long chains called polypeptides before they fold into their complex, 3-dimensional, functional shape.
Anticodon Definition
Three nucleotides that form a unit of genetic code in tRNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in mRNA.
Chromosome Definition
Chromosomes are highly organized and contain all the genetic information necessary to code for proteins. They are condensed, organized packages of DNA.
Codon Definition
3 consecutive nucleotides that code for a specific amino acid or signals the start or end of gene translation.
Cytosine Definition
A compound which is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids.
Paired with Guanine in double-stranded DNA.
Deletion Point Mutation Definition
A type of mutation involving the loss of genetic material.
Deoxyribose Definition
Sugar found in DNA.
DNA Definition
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Stores all of the genetic information inside the cell.
Feedback Loop Definition
Where the output of a system amplifies the system (positive feedback) or inhibits the system (negative feedback).
Frameshift Mutation Definition
When nucleotides are inserted into or deleted from the DNA and cause a “shift” in the reading of mRNA codons.
Gene Definition
A sequence of DNA that contains the instructions to build a specific protein.
Gene Expression Definition
The activity of genes in a cell. In each cell, only some of the genes are active or expressed.
Guanine Definition
A compound which is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids.
Paired with Cytosine in double-stranded DNA.
Insertion Point Mutation Definition
When an extra base pair is added to a sequence of bases.
mRNA Definition
During the Transcription, the information contained in DNA is converted into a messenger molecule (mRNA).
Nucleus Definition
The membrane-enclosed organelle within a cell that contains the chromosomes.
Nucleotide Definition
The building blocks of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA.
A nucleotide is composed of a nucleobase (nitrogenous base), a five-carbon sugar (either ribose or 2-deoxyribose), and one phosphate group.
Point Mutation Definition
A mutation affecting only one or very few nucleotides in a gene sequence.
Ribose Definition
Sugar found in RNA.
Ribosome Definition
An intercellular structure made of both RNA and protein, and it is the site of protein synthesis in the cell.
RNA Polymerase Definition
A multi-unit enzyme that synthesizes RNA molecules from a template of DNA through a process called transcription.
Protein Definition
One of the most common organic macromolecules made up of chains of monomers called amino acids.
(carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)
- Made of 20 amino acids
- Theoretically, an infinite number of proteins can be made based on different combinations of all 20 amino acids.
- Weak bonds help the protein maintain its shape.
- Proteins are involved in nearly every function of your body.
Ex. Muscles, skin, hair
Cells contain about 10,000 different proteins with different jobs.
- Provide structural support
- Transport substances inside the cell and between cells
- Communicate signals within the cell and between cells
- Speed up chemical reactions
- Control cell growth.
Stimulus Definition
Anything that produces a response in an organism or in a cell or tissue of an organism. Such stimuli can be internal or external.
