Topic 4A - DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis Flashcards
What is a gene?
A sequence of DNA bases that coded for either a polypeptide or functional RNA
What is a cell’s genome?
The complete set of genes in a cell
How many DNA bases code for one amino acid?
3
What is a cell’s proteome?
The full range of proteins the cell can produce
Name 2 types of non-coding DNA
Introns and multiple repeats
Name the sections within genes that code for amino acids
Exons
What is an allele?
A different form of a gene
Alleles for the same characteristic can be found at a particular fixed point on a chromosome. What is the name given to this fixed point?
A locus
What role does mRNA play in protein synthesis?
Carries the genetic code from the DNA to the ribosomes
What is an mRNA codon?
A group of 3 adjacent bases on an mRNA molecule
what does mRNA stand for?
Messenger RNA
What does tRNA stand for?
Transfer RNA
Name two stages of protein synthesis and state where each one takes place in eukaryotes
Transcription - takes place in the nucleus
Translation - takes place at the ribosomes in the cytoplasm
What is RNA polymerase and in which stage of protein synthesis is it involved?
An enzyme, transcription
Why is the mRNA that’s produced from a DNA template always a complementary copy of the DNA?
Because of complementary base parings