Molecular Biology and Genetic 16-21 Flashcards
Describe the central dogma of molecular biology
DNA transcribed to RNA transcribed to proteins
Describe gene expression
Process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a protein
What is a gene?
Defined sequence of DNA that produces an RNA molecule
What are the features of transcription?
DNA dependent RNA synthesis
Catalysed by RNA polymerase
Forms phosphodiester bonds between ribonucleotides
What are the 3 stages of DNA transcription?
Initiation
Elongation’
Termination
Describe initiation in DNA transcription
Transcription factors bind to TATA box
RNA pol 2 binds forming initiation complex
DNA strands separate and RNA pol 2 starts mRNA synthesis
Describe elongation in DNA transcription
RNA pol 2 uses the template strand and inserts complementary RNA nucleotides.
What protein on the RNA molecule protects the RNA from degradation on the 3’ end?
Poly-A tail
What is the purpose of a g-nucleotide on the RNA?
Protects the 5’ end of the RNA from degradation
What is splicing?
Introns (intervening sequences) are regulatory elements that regulate translation
What is the function of a coding sequence?
Portion of gene’s DNA translated into a protein
What is the function of a promoter?
DNA segment recognised to RNA poly to initiate transcription
What is the function of a UTR?
Untranslated region.
Contain regulatory elements that influence gene expression at transcriptional level
UTR facilitates addition of ends on 3’ and 5’
Often transcribed and not translated
What is the purpose of a 5’ G cap
Prevents mRNA degradation, promotes intron excision and binding site for small ribosomal subunit
What is the function of a Poly-A tail
Prevents mRNA degradation and facilitates export of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
How many different types of amino acids are there?
20
How bases do amino acids have?
3 (triplets)
What is the purpose of tRNA?
It acts as an adaptor.
How is tRNA charged?
An enzyme releases a specific amino acid and the correct tRNA joins them together
Describe translation
Synthesis of proteins by ribosomes using mRNA as instructions.
What are the 3 ribsoome sties?
A (acceptor site)
P (peptide site)
E (exit site)
What is a ribosome made up of?
Proteins and rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
Where are the ribosome located?
Bound to the rER
Free in the cytosol
What are the purposes of ribosomes?
Synthesis proteins in the plasma membrane or in the cytosol
What are the 3 stages of translation?
Initiation
Elongation
Termination
Describe the translational process of initiation
tRNA binds to ribosomal subunit which identifies the 5’ cap and attaches to the mRNA
tRNA moves along the mRNA until it finds the start AUG codon
First methionine positioned in P site
Large ribosomal subunit attaches
Which amino acid is the start codon?
AUG