Gene Expression Flashcards
Antibody
Type of protein made by white blood cells to defend the body against antigens.
Chromatography
Technique used to separate components of a mixture which differ in their degree of solubility in a solvent.
Amino Acid
One of twenty different types of organic compound which are the basic building blocks of protein.
Genotype
Genetic constitution of a cell or organism determined by the sequence of bases in its DNA.
Hormone
Type of protein that acts as a chemical messenger.
Enzyme
Type of protein possessing an active surface which combines with a specific substrate.
Gel electrophoresis
Technique used to separate electrically charged molecules by subjecting them to an electric current which forces them to move through a sheet of gel.
Hydrogen bond
Weak chemical link holding a polypeptide chain in a coil.
Nitrogen
Chemical element present in all proteins in addition to carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Peptide bond
Strong chemical link joining adjacent amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
Phenotype
Physical and chemical state of a cell or organism produced as a result of gene expression.
Protein
Molecule composed of one or more polypeptides folded or coiled into a specific shape.
Polypeptide
Chain-like molecule composed of several amino acids.
Anticodon
Triplet of bases on a tRNA molecule which is complementary to an mRNA codon.
Attachment site
Region on a tRNA molecule to which a specific amino acid becomes temporarily fixed.
Codon
Unit of genetic information consisting of three mRNA bases.
Exon
Coding region of a gene.
Genetic code
Molecular language made up of 64 code words.
Intron
Non-coding region of a gene.
mRNA
Type of nucleic acid which carries a copy of the DNA code from the nucleus to a ribosome.
Post-translational modification
Alteration of protein molecule by cutting and combining its polypeptides.
Primary transcript
mRNA strand formed as the complement of a DNA template strand.
Ribose
Sugar present in RNA.
Ribosome
Sub-cellular structure made of rRNA and protein which is the site of protein synthesis.
RNA polymerase
Enzyme which controls transcription.
Splicing
Joining of exons from a primary transcript of RNA following the removal of introns.
Transcription
Process by which a complementary molecule of mRNA is made from a region of a DNA template.
Translation
Conversion of the genetic information on mRNA into a sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide.
tRNA
Type of nucleic acid which carries a specific amino acid to a ribosome.
Uracil
Base present in RNA that is complementary to adenine.
