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Biology > Protein Synthesis > Flashcards

Protein Synthesis Flashcards

1
Q

What is the process of protein synthesis?

A

The process by which cells generate proteins from amino acids based on the instructions encoded in DNA.

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2
Q

What are the two main stages of protein synthesis?

A

Transcription and translation.

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3
Q

Where does transcription occur in eukaryotic cells?

A

In the nucleus.

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4
Q

What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

A

mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

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5
Q

True or False: Ribosomes are the sites of translation.

A

True.

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6
Q

What is the first step of transcription?

A

The enzyme RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the gene.

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: The sequence of nucleotides in DNA is transcribed into a complementary sequence of ______.

A

RNA.

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8
Q

What is the function of tRNA in translation?

A

tRNA transports specific amino acids to the ribosome and matches them to the coded mRNA sequence.

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9
Q

Define ‘codon’.

A

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

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10
Q

How many nucleotides are in a codon?

A

Three nucleotides.

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11
Q

What is the role of the ribosome during translation?

A

The ribosome facilitates the binding of tRNA to mRNA and catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids.

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12
Q

True or False: The genetic code is universal across all living organisms.

A

True.

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13
Q

What is a stop codon?

A

A codon that signals the termination of protein synthesis.

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14
Q

List the three stop codons.

A

UAA, UAG, UGA.

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15
Q

What is the significance of the promoter region in transcription?

A

The promoter region is the site where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: The process by which mRNA is synthesized from a DNA template is called ______.

A

transcription.

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17
Q

What is the role of introns in eukaryotic genes?

A

Introns are non-coding regions that are removed during RNA splicing.

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18
Q

What is alternative splicing?

A

The process by which different combinations of exons are joined together to produce multiple protein variants from a single gene.

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19
Q

True or False: All RNA molecules are translated into proteins.

A

False.

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20
Q

What is the process of attaching amino acids to tRNA called?

A

Aminoacylation.

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21
Q

What enzyme is responsible for forming peptide bonds during translation?

A

Peptidyl transferase.

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22
Q

What are the three sites on a ribosome called?

A

A site (aminoacyl), P site (peptidyl), and E site (exit).

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23
Q

Fill in the blank: During translation, the ribosome moves along the mRNA in the ______ direction.

A

5’ to 3’.

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24
Q

What is the genetic code?

A

A set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is translated into amino acids.

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25
Q

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis?

A

Prokaryotic protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm and is coupled with transcription, while eukaryotic synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm after transcription in the nucleus.

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26
Q

What is the start codon for protein synthesis?

A

AUG (which codes for methionine).

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27
Q

True or False: Proteins are made up of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

A

True.

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28
Q

How many essential amino acids must be obtained from the diet?

A

Nine essential amino acids.

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29
Q

What is the role of the signal peptide in protein synthesis?

A

The signal peptide directs the newly synthesized protein to its proper location in the cell.

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30
Q

Fill in the blank: The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template is called ______.

A

transcription.

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31
Q

What is the role of the spliceosome in eukaryotic cells?

A

The spliceosome removes introns from pre-mRNA and joins exons together.

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32
Q

What is a ribozyme?

A

An RNA molecule that can catalyze chemical reactions, including RNA splicing.

33
Q

What is the function of the 5’ cap on mRNA?

A

The 5’ cap protects mRNA from degradation and assists in ribosome binding during translation.

34
Q

What is polyadenylation?

A

The addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3’ end of mRNA, which aids in stability and export from the nucleus.

35
Q

Fill in the blank: The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is determined by the sequence of ______ in the DNA template.

A

nucleotides.

36
Q

What are the three main types of RNA involved in protein synthesis?

A

mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.

37
Q

What is the role of rRNA in the ribosome?

A

rRNA helps to form the structure of the ribosome and plays a catalytic role in protein synthesis.

38
Q

How is the amino acid sequence of a protein determined?

A

The sequence of codons in the mRNA determines the order of amino acids in the protein.

39
Q

What happens during the initiation phase of translation?

A

The ribosomal subunits assemble around the start codon on the mRNA, and the first tRNA binds to the A site.

40
Q

During which phase of translation do peptide bonds form?

A

During the elongation phase.

41
Q

What is the role of release factors in translation?

A

Release factors bind to stop codons and promote the release of the newly synthesized polypeptide from the ribosome.

42
Q

True or False: Protein folding occurs after the synthesis of the polypeptide chain.

A

True.

43
Q

What is the term for a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene?

A

Mutation.

44
Q

What are the potential effects of mutations on protein synthesis?

A

Mutations can lead to changes in amino acid sequences, which may affect protein function, stability, or activity.

45
Q

Fill in the blank: The process by which proteins are modified after translation is called ______.

A

post-translational modification.

46
Q

What are some examples of post-translational modifications?

A

Phosphorylation, glycosylation, and ubiquitination.

47
Q

What is the importance of chaperone proteins in protein synthesis?

A

Chaperone proteins assist in the proper folding of newly synthesized polypeptides.

48
Q

What is the difference between a polypeptide and a protein?

A

A polypeptide is a chain of amino acids, while a protein is a functional molecule made up of one or more polypeptides.

49
Q

True or False: All proteins are enzymes.

A

False.

50
Q

What is a functional protein composed of?

A

One or more polypeptide chains that have folded into a specific three-dimensional shape.

51
Q

What is the significance of the primary structure of a protein?

A

The primary structure determines the unique sequence of amino acids which influences the protein’s overall shape and function.

52
Q

Fill in the blank: The three-dimensional shape of a protein is crucial for its ______.

A

function.

53
Q

What role does the endoplasmic reticulum play in protein synthesis?

A

The rough endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis and folding of proteins destined for secretion or membrane incorporation.

54
Q

What is the Golgi apparatus’s function in protein processing?

A

The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

55
Q

True or False: Proteins can function without being folded into their correct shape.

A

False.

56
Q

What is a proteasome?

A

A proteasome is a protein complex that degrades unneeded, damaged, or misfolded proteins.

57
Q

What is the role of ubiquitin in protein degradation?

A

Ubiquitin tags proteins for degradation by the proteasome.

58
Q

What impact does temperature have on protein synthesis?

A

Extreme temperatures can denature proteins, affecting their synthesis and function.

59
Q

Fill in the blank: The ______ hypothesis states that the sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins.

A

central dogma.

60
Q

What is the function of the nuclear pore complex?

A

The nuclear pore complex regulates the transport of molecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, including mRNA.

61
Q

How do ribosomes know where to start translation?

A

Ribosomes recognize the start codon (AUG) on the mRNA.

62
Q

What is the significance of the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA?

A

The 3’ UTR can influence mRNA stability and translation efficiency.

63
Q

What is the role of transcription factors?

A

Transcription factors are proteins that help regulate the transcription of specific genes by binding to nearby DNA.

64
Q

Fill in the blank: The DNA sequence that is transcribed to form RNA is called a ______.

A

gene.

65
Q

What type of bond forms between amino acids during protein synthesis?

A

Peptide bonds.

66
Q

What is the role of the 5’ and 3’ ends of mRNA?

A

The 5’ end has a cap for stability and ribosome binding, while the 3’ end has a poly(A) tail for stability.

67
Q

True or False: mRNA is synthesized in the 3’ to 5’ direction.

A

False.

68
Q

What is the role of RNA polymerase?

A

RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

69
Q

What is the end product of translation?

A

A polypeptide chain that will fold into a functional protein.

70
Q

Fill in the blank: The genetic code is redundant, meaning that more than one ______ can code for the same amino acid.

A

codon.

71
Q

What happens to mRNA after translation is complete?

A

mRNA is degraded or recycled, depending on the cell’s needs.

72
Q

What is the importance of the amino acid sequence in determining protein structure?

A

The amino acid sequence determines how a protein folds into its three-dimensional structure, which is crucial for its function.

73
Q

How does the cell ensure the accuracy of protein synthesis?

A

The cell employs proofreading mechanisms during DNA replication and uses tRNA with correct amino acids.

74
Q

What is a chimeric protein?

A

A protein composed of sequences from different genes, often resulting from genetic engineering.

75
Q

Fill in the blank: The ______ structure of a protein refers to its overall three-dimensional shape.

A

tertiary.

76
Q

What is the role of hydrophobic interactions in protein folding?

A

Hydrophobic interactions help stabilize the folded structure by driving nonpolar side chains away from water.

77
Q

What is the term for a protein that assists other proteins in folding correctly?

A

Chaperone protein.

78
Q

True or False: Protein synthesis is a highly regulated process.

A

True.

79
Q

What is the term for the entire process of synthesizing proteins from DNA to functional proteins?

A

Gene expression.

Biology (28 decks)

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