Gene Expression Glossary Flashcards
Anticodon
Three consecutive bases on the tRNA
Codon
Three consecutive bases on the mRNA
DNA
Deoxyribose nucleic acid, A joins with T, C joins with G. Double stranded, helix shaped large molecule, a whole chromosome. Deoxyribose sugar.
Enzyme
A folded protein which acts as a biological catalyst to speed up the rate of a chemical reaction in an organism.
Frameshift
Change in bases that the ribosome reads.
Gene
A piece of DNA which codes for the making of a protein / feature.
Gene expression
The process where the instructions on our DNA are converted into a functional protein, includes transcription, translation and protein folding.
Genotype
The genetic make-up of an organism for a feature.
Insertion mutation
A mutation on the DNA where a base(s) is added resulting in a frame shift.
Metabolic pathway
A series of enzyme-controlled reactions, where the product of one reaction becomes the substrate of the next.
Missense mutation
A change of the base on the DNA which codes for a different amino acid. This may or may not alter the shape of the protein and therefore it’s function.
mRNA
Messenger RNA. Made during transcription in the nucleus. Carries the instructions to the ribosome to make a polypeptide change. Contains codons
Mutagen
A permanent change in the bases on the DNA
Mutation
A permanent change inthe bases on the DNA
Non-sense mutation
A change of the base on the DNA which changes the instructions, so a STOP codon occurs in the wrong place. Protein is greatly affected.
Peptide bond
Bond formed between 2 amino acids during translation
Phenotype
The physical appearance of a new feature
Point mutation
A change of only one or a few bases on the DNA
Protein
A substance made up of many amino acids joined together to form a polypeptide change, which gets folded into a functional protein (enzymes are a type of protein)
Redundancy
The fact that multiple codons code for the same amino acid eg. CCU, CCC, CCA and CCG all code of the amino acid Pro
RNA
Ribonucleic acid. A bond with U and G bonds with C. Three types, tRNA, mRNA and rRNA. Single stranded and shorter than DNA. Sugar is ribose
Same-sense mutation
A change of the base on the DNA where the bases still code for the same amino acid. This is due to teh redundancy of the genetic code.
Silent mutation
A mutation that is neither favourable nor harmful, that remains in a population.
Start codon
The start signals on the mRNA which initiates translation. Always AUG
Stop codon
These 3 codons on the mRNA (UAA, UAG, UGA) do not code for an amino acid therefore telling the ribosome where to stop translation
Substitution mutation
A mutation where the base(s) on the DNA are swapped.
Transcription
The process by which DNA going to mRNA, occurs in the nucleus. Controlled by RNA polymerase.
Translation
The process by which mRNA going to polypeptide chain, occurs in the cytoplasm on the ribosome.
Triplet
Three consecutive bases on the DNA
tRNA
Transfer RNA. Carries an amino acid to the ribosome. 3 bases on the mRNA = anticodon
