transcription Flashcards
define transcription
process that makes RNA from DNA
why is the process of transcription called it?
the information in a specific region of DNA is being transcribed into the slightly different language of RNA (uracil has replaced thymine)
where does transcription take place?
nucelus
genes are transcribed to what?
mRNA
how is the process of pre-mRNA initiated?
unwinding a specific portion of the DNA double-helix and the binding of RNA polymerase to a sequence at the start of the gene called the promoter region
what is elongation?
RNA polymerase adds the appropriate nucleotides (adenine, uracil, guanine, and cytosine) to elongate the pre-mRNA
true or false: RNA nucleotides are only added in the 5’-3’ direction
true
what is the result of RNA nucleotides added in the 5’-3’ direction?
the pre-mRNA that is produced has the same nucleotide sequence as the complementary strand of DNA, except that each thymine will be replaced by uracil.
what is termination?
RNA polymerase reaches the terminator sequence and the pre-mRNA is released from the DNA
true or false: in bacterial cells, the pre-mRNA is ready to leave the nucleus
true
what 3 things must occur before non-bacterial cells’ pre-mrna can leave the nucleus?
1) a special cap has to be added to the 5’ end 2) a tail has to be added to the 3’ end
3) RNA sequences that aren’t going to be included in the final version of the protein made in the cytoplasm have to be removed.
what is the 5’ cap?
a modified guanine nucleotide that is involved in getting the mRNA out of the nucleus
what does the 3’ tail consist of?
a series of adenine nucleotides and is called a poly-A tail
what does the cap and tail protect the ends of the mRNA from?
exonucleases
what are the “non-sense” sequences?
introns