Unit 5: Protein Synthesis Flashcards
Define
Transcription
Using DNA as a template to make mRNA
Define
Translation
Production of polypeptides using the DNA code (copied into molecule of mRNA)
Explain why DNA has a template and coding strand
DNA has two strands; each gene is encoded on only one, while the other helps stabilize the molecule and make mRNA
Compare the template and coding strands
- *Coding**: Carries the information for making the gene product
- *Template**: Complementary to the coding strand; is used to make the mRNA
The mRNA sequence most resembles…
The coding strand
Outline the process of
Transcription: Initiation (Euks)
- Specific transcription factors bind to the promoter
- RNA Polymerase binds to the promoter
Define
Promoter
A segment of DNA before a gene which is the “docking area” for RNA polymerase to bind
Define
Transcription factors
Proteins that bind to the promoter and can either increase or decrease the RNA polymerases’ ability to bind
Outline the process of
Transcription: Elongation
RNA polymerase separates the DNA and adds complementary base pairs to the template strand
Define
RNA polymerase
The enzyme used during transcription to make mRNA
In which direction is mRNA made?
5’ to 3’
Importance of
5’ cap
A chemical modification to the 5’ end of mRNA that is being formed, which prevents nuclear enzymes from breaking down the mRNA as it is being made
Outline the process of
Transcription: Termination
RNA polymerase reaches terminator sequence on DNA, causing the DNA, polymerase, and mRNA to dissociate
Importance of
Poly-A tail
Sequence of many adenines that is added after eukaryotic transcription is complete, which allows the mRNA to exit the nucleus
List
Eukaryotic modifications to mRNA
- 5’ cap
- Poly-A tail
- Splicing
Define
Exon
Segments of a gene that are expressed
Define
Intron
Segments of a gene that are not expressed; must be spliced out to make functional gene product
Define
Splicing
Removal of introns and re-joining of eons to make a mature mRNA
What is alternative splicing?
Some genes contain multiple exons, which can be rearranged in different ways to produce multiple unique proteins from the same gene (WHAT?! SO COOL!)
Compare
Transcription in Proks vs. Euks
- Prokaryotes have one promoter that controls multiple related genes, which may be regulated by an operon
- Related functional genes may be on different chromosomes in eukaryotes but may be regulated by transcription factors so their production is coordinated
Define
Operon
In prokaryotes ONLY
A segment of the genome that has one promoter, an operator, and several functionally related genes
Define
Operator
Part of the prokaryotic operon that can bind to a repressor or inducer, like a “switch” to control transcription
Define
Stem cell
In multicellular eukaryotes, cells that are undifferentiated
Can divide to produce cell types that are different by changing gene expression