Protein Production + Mutations Flashcards
What is a codon?
three consecutive nucleotides in mRNA that specify the addition of a specific amino acid or the release of a polypeptide chain during translation
What is mRNA?
messenger RNA; carries nucleotide sequence that is translated into a polypeptide sequence
What is tRNA?
transfer RNA; contains the specific three-nucleotide anticodon sequence to pair with mRNA codon and also binds to a specific amino acid
Transcription vs Translation
Transcription - copying DNA
Translation - unzipping DNA to make RNA
What is a mutation?
A sudden change in heredity
- can be advantageous/disadvantageous
- can be random/recessive
What are the different types of mutations?
silent
missense
nonsense
frameshift
What are point mutations?
substitution, addition, deletion of a single nucleotide
What are mutations caused by?
UV rays, X-rays, microwaves, tobacco, viruses, radiation
What are silent mutations?
Mutations that do not produce a change in amino acids produced.
What are missense mutations?
Changes the production of a different amino acid
What are nonsense mutations?
Leads to the appearance of a premature stop codon
What is a frameshift mutation?
Shifts how the amino acid is read by a deletion/insertion
What is an anticodon?
group of 3 bases on tRNA that are complementary to the codon on the mRNA sequence
Where does transcription happen?
nucleus
Where does translation happen?
cytoplasm
