unit 6 Flashcards
central dogma
The flow from DNA to RNA to Proteins (The workers of the Body)
Types of RNA- Know functions and how RNA is different from DNA
mRNA, tRNA, rRNA
mRNA
Structure/Function:
This is a single stranded molecule that writes down the DNA instructions (sequence)
Created during transcription and is the messenger from DNA to the cytoplasm (carries message to ribosomal RNA
Base Pairing Rules
There is no Thymine in RNA instead it uses Uracil
A=U
C=G
T (If showing on DNA strand) turns to A on the RNA strand
Be able to write mRNA out based on DNA
Example: DNA reads: ATGACT
RNA reads: UACUGA
tRNA (Transfer RNA)
Structure/Function
This is shaped like a “t” and contains an anticodon at the bottom and holds the amino acid at the top
Brings amino acids to the ribosomes based on the mRNA strand
anticodons
The “bottom” of the tRNA has three nucleotides that form the anticodon, a three base triplet that can base pair with the specific codon on the mRNA
The purpose of this is to ensure accuracy of the strand being read and the amino acid that is being added to the polypeptide chain.
accuracy
Anticodons ensures that the adding of amino acids will be accurate and correct.
Accurate translation comes from correct match between tRNA and amino acid and also between tRNA anticodons and mRNA codons
rRNA (Ribosomal RNA)
Structure/Function
Responsible for reading the mRNA and creating the polypeptide strand that will eventually become a protein (Protein Factory)
Is made up of a small subunit and a large subunit. The small subunit reads the mRNA and the large subunit is responsible for connecting amino acids with the help of tRNA
protein factory
rRNA is often referred to as the protein factory due to it being responsible for creating the polypeptide chain that will be folded into a functional protein.
Sites: A site P site and E site
A site - holds the tRNA that carries the next amino acid to be added to the chain
P side - holds the tRNA that carries the growing polypeptide chain
E site - exit site; where discharged tRNA’s leave the
Types of ribosomes
Free ribosomes: Found in the cytoplasm and makes proteins for the cytoplasm
Bound ribosomes: Found in the rough ER and makes proteins for the endomembrane system and those destined to leave the cell
transcription
This process takes place inside the nucleus. The DNA cannot leave this structure but mRNA can by using the nuclear pores to move in and out of the nucleus.
Transcription step 1: initiation
Promoters (TATA sequence) signal the start point and extends several nucleotide pairs upstream of the gene trying to be transcribed
Transcription factors mediate the biding of RNA p[polymerase
When you combine the promoter, transcription factors, and RNA polymerase this is called a transcription initiation complex.
Transcription step 2: elongation
RNA polymerase moves along the DNA and untwists the double helix 10 to 20 bases at a time
RNA polymerase builds using the template of DNA based on base pairing rules.
Transcription step 3: termination
RNA polymerase will continue to build until it reaches a polyadenylation sequence (sequence with at least 6 adenine in a row)
RNA polymerase II
Responsible for building mRNA based on the template strand of DNA
promoter
DNA sequence that tells RNA polymerase II where to bind to begin building mRNA
Examples
TATA sequence
Transcription Factors
A group of proteins that work together to mediate the binding of RNA polymerase and the initiation of transcription
mRNA processing ONLY IN EUKARYOTES (What must happen to the pre-mRNA before it can be translated into a functional protein?)
pre-mRNA, post-mRNA
pre-mRNA
mRNA is considered pre- until its been processed; 5’ end gets a 5’ cap and the 3’ end gets a poly-A-tail….Introns cut out and exons spliced (glued) together.
post-mRNA
This is the mature or functional mRNA this is after all the processing has taken place
Introns vs exons
Introns - noncoding regions that are cut out of the mRNA
Exons - Coding regions that will be spliced together to make mature mRNA
Alternative RNA splicing
Removes introns and joins exons, creating an mRNA molecule with a continuous coding sequence…This is important because we can use the same stretch of DNA to create several different proteins by changing what are introns and what are exons in a single stretch of DNA
mRNA Lifespan
The lifespan of a mRNA is based on how long the poly-A-tail is. The longer the poly-A-tail the longer it will live and the shorter it is the shorter life span it has. This ultimately determines how many times the mRNA can be translated in the cytoplasm.
mRNA degradation
mRNA begins to break down as soon as it enters the cytoplasm to get translated. This is why it is important to add the 5’ cap and poly-A tail to protect it from degrading to fast.