RNA and the Genetic Code Flashcards
Central Dogma of Biology
- DNA
a. Transcription (in 5’ –> 3’ direction) - RNA
b. Translation (N-terminus –> C-terminus direction) - Protein
OR
- RNA
a. Reverse Transcriptase - DNA
b. Replication - DNA
And then begin the top sequence….
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Carries info. specifying amino acid sequence from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm to be Transcribed by RNA polymerase and then translated into proteins at the ribosome through codons
RNA Polymerase
Transcribes mRNA which can then be translated into proteins through codons
Monocistronic
Eukaryotes:
Each mRNA translates into one protein product
Polycistronic
Prokaryotes:
Beginning translation at different parts of the mRNA resulting in new proteins from the same original genes
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Converts the language of nucleic acids into amino acids and peptides
- The codon of mRNA recognized by anticodon of tRNA
- The 3’ end of tRNA connects an amino acid becoming charged or activated in the cytoplasm
- Each amino acid is activated by Aminoacyl-tRNA-Synthetase and ATP
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Synthesized in the Nucleolus and used during protein assembly in the cytoplasm at the ribosome; Enzymatically active
Ribozymes
Catalyze the formation of peptide bonds
Characteristics of the Genetic Code
- Unambiguous
- Degenerate
- Wobble Position
Unambiguous
Each codon is specific for an amino acid
Degenerate
More than one codon can speficy an amino acid
Wobble Position
3rd base of a codon can change without coding for a new amino acid (silent or degenerate position) to protect against changes in DNA or RNA
Point Mutation
Affects one of the nucleotides in a codon
Missense Mutation
Expressed:
One amino acid is substituted for another (produces a codon that changes the amino acid)
Nonsense Mutation
Expressed:
Truncation - codes for a premature stop codon
Frameshift Mutation
Nucleotides are added or deleted from the mRNA that changes reading frame of subsequent codons
Stop Codons
UAA
UGA
UAG
Start Codons
AUG - Codes for Methionine
Transcription
Creation of mRNA from DNA Template
- RNA is synthesized by DNA dependent RNA Polymerase
RNA Polymerase II
Binds to the TATA box (-25) and is the main player in transcribing mRNA
Transcription Factors
Protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding to the TATA promoter and aiding RNA Polymerase
RNA Polymerase I
In the Nucleolus to synthesize rRNA
RNA Polymerase II
In the Nucleus - Synthesizes the hnRNA (pre-mRNA) and small nuclear RNA (snRNA)