Protein Synthesis and Gene Expression Flashcards
Where does transcription take place in a eukaryotic cell?
In the nucleus
What is RNA polymerase?
The main enzyme that catalyzes the formation of RNA from the DNA template
What determines the chemical properties of a protein?
The specific sequence of amino acids
What is proteomics?
The study of all proteins produced by a given genome
What can result from a shift of one or two nucleotides in the genetic code?
An incorrect amino acid sequence
What does gene expression refer to?
The transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein
What is a polypeptide chain?
A chain of amino acids
What is genomics?
The study of entire genomes as opposed to individual genes
What does continuous mean in the context of the genetic code?
It reads as a series of three-letter codons without spaces, punctuation, or overlap
What is a promoter?
A sequence of nucleotides on the DNA that tells RNA polymerase where to bind during transcription
What are amino acids composed of?
An organic compound consisting of a carboxylic acid group (COOH), an amino group (NH2), and various side groups
Who established that proteins consist of a sequence of molecules called amino acids?
Frederick Sanger
What is the role of transfer RNA (tRNA) in translation?
To direct the synthesis of a polypeptide by linking mRNA to its specific amino acid
What is messenger RNA (mRNA)?
A linear strand of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the protein synthesis machinery
What does redundancy in the genetic code mean?
More than one codon can code for the same amino acid
What are the four types of nucleic acids involved in gene expression?
- DNA
- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
What is ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?
A type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes
What is the sense strand of DNA?
The strand that is transcribed into mRNA
What is a codon?
A set of three bases in a gene that codes for an amino acid or a termination signal
What happens during the cycle of translation?
tRNA molecules bring amino acids to the ribosome, forming a polypeptide chain until a stop codon is reached
How is the genetic code characterized?
It is redundant, continuous, and universal
What happens when RNA polymerase reaches a stop signal?
It detaches from the DNA strand and the new mRNA strand is released
What is translation?
The second stage of gene expression where the mRNA nucleotide sequence directs the synthesis of a polypeptide
What is the relationship between proteins produced by a cell and the cell’s structure and function?
The specific proteins determine the structure, function, and development of the cell
What is transcription?
The first stage of gene expression where mRNA is produced that is complementary to a segment of DNA
What is the genetic code?
The order of base pairs in a DNA molecule that determines how amino acids are strung together and how proteins are made
What is the function of the anticodon on tRNA?
To pair with the mRNA codon
What is the role of the ribosome in translation?
To bring together mRNA, tRNA, and enzymes involved in building polypeptides
What does the central dogma of gene expression state?
Genetic information is transcribed from DNA to RNA and then translated from RNA to protein
