Protein Synthesis Flashcards
What is mRNA?
Messenger RNA.
It carries the coded message for protein building from DNA to the ribosomes.
What is tRNA?
Transfer RNA. It transports amino acids to the mRNA at the ribosomes.
How big is mRNA?
It varies in length, but is always much shorter than DNA. (1%)
How big is TRNA?
Very short, 70-90 bases only.
What is rRNA?
Ribosomal RNA. It binds the large and small subunits to form a functional ribosome.
How big is rRNA?
It varies in length, but is shorter than mRNA.
What is transcription?
The process of making mRNA from copying the information from a piece of DNA.
What are the steps in transcription?
Initiation, Elongation, Termination, and Post-transcriptional modifications.
What happens in initiation?
RNA polymerase binds to an AT rich section of DNA. It then unwinds it.
What happens in elongation?
RNA polymerase H bonds free-floating nucleotides to their complementary bases. DNA snaps back together behind RNA polymerase causing the created mRNA to hang free off the side by a few base pairs.
What happens in termination?
RNA polymerase encounters a terminator sequence at the end of the gene, causing RNA polymerase and a primary transcript to be released.
What happens in post-transcriptional modifications for prokaryotes?
5’ cap is added, 3’ poly-a-tail is added, mRNA transcript becomes ready for release from nucleus.
For eukaryotes, what else happens in post-transcriptional modifications?
Spliceosomes remove introns and ligate exons, forming mature mRNA transcript.
What is an intron?
A non-coding region.
What is an extron?
A coding region.
What is the purpose of a 5’ cap?
To protect the mRNA from cytoplasmic enzymes.
What is a poly-A-tail?
200 or more adenines.
What adds poly-A-tail to mRNA?
poly-A-polymerase.
How many enzymes are involved in transcription?
ONE