Unit 10: Mutations and cancer Flashcards
the central dogma of biology
DNA is transcribed into RNA which is translated into protein
Transcription
A process in which RNA polymerase copies a gene and builds mRNA
Happens inside the nucleus.
Translation
A process in which the ribosome uses the mRNA to build a protein.
Takes place in the cytoplasm.
Gene
a piece of DNA which codes for a protein
Codon
three mRNA bases
Anticodon
three tRNA bases which will pair with the codon
mRNA
an RNA copy of a gene
built in the nucleus, translated in the cytoplasm
“messenger” RNA because it carries information
tRNA
a folded RNA molecule which carries an amino acid
The ribosome checks to see if the mRNA codon matches the tRNA anticodon; if so, the tRNA’s amino acid is moved onto the chain.
“transfer” RNA because it carries the amino acid.
Ribosome
A cellular structure which “reads” the mRNA and builds the protein (or amino acid sequence).
RNA
a nucleic acid
made of nucleotides
Uses U not T
Amino Acid
the subunit of a protein
carried by the tRNA
Template Strand
the strand of DNA which is used to build the mRNA
Mutation
a change in the DNA
Mutant
an organism which has been changed because of DNA mutations
Mutagen
anything that causes mutations
Ex: UV radiation, X rays, gamma rays, smoke, pollutants