Gene expression Flashcards
Gene expression
the process by which the instructions in our DNA are converted into a functional product (protein).
Nucleic Acids
The two nucleic acids are DNA and RNA . They are polymers (giant molecules) made up of units called nucleotides.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are made up of a nitrogenous base, a 5-carbon sugar and a phosphate group.
RNA structure
A single strand of nucleotides (A, G, U, C). Relatively short and transient molecule
Role of DNA
The instructions for cell structure and function
Coding strand
The side of the DNA that is identical to the mRNA strand (bar U and T) and is not involved in transcription
Template strand
The side of DNA molecule which is copied during protein synthesis
Triplet
A group of 3 bases coding for a specific amino acid in the DNA
Codon
A group of 3 bases in mRNA coding for a specific amino acid
Anti-codon
3 bases in tRNA coding complementary to the codon in mRNA
Proteins
A folded polypeptide chain
mRNA
Messenger RNA carries the genetic.code from the nucleus to the ribosomes
tRNA
Transfer RNAs carry amino acids to the ribosome to make a protein
Translation
Changing an mRNA into a polypeptide chain
Transcription
Copying a gene from DNA into mRNA