Unlocking the DNA code Flashcards
What is the relationship between DNA, genes and proteins?
Genes are full of DNA and this DNA is what codes proteins through amino acids.
What is the process of gene synthesis in regard to transcription and translation?
Genes are created through process of mRNA taking codes to ribosomes for DNA to be copied, this is transcription, and the actual copying of the DNA is translation.
Triplet
A triplet refers to a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that codes for a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. Each triplet is also known as a codon in the context of mRNA.
Amino Acid
An amino acid is an organic molecule that serves as the building block of proteins.
Protein
A protein is a large, complex molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins perform a wide range of functions within organisms, including catalyzing metabolic reactions (enzymes), providing structural support, and regulating cellular processes.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
RNA is a nucleic acid similar to DNA but typically single-stranded and containing ribose as its sugar and uracil instead of thymine. RNA plays several roles in gene expression, including serving as a messenger (mRNA), a component of ribosomes (rRNA), and as transfer RNA (tRNA) during protein synthesis.
Codon
A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal during translation. For example, the mRNA codon AUG codes for the amino acid methionine and also serves as the start codon.
Transcription
Transcription is the process by which a segment of DNA is copied into RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase. This process occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and results in the formation of a complementary RNA strand, which can be processed into mRNA, tRNA, or rRNA.
Translation
Translation is the process by which the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is decoded to produce a specific sequence of amino acids, resulting in the synthesis of a protein. This process occurs in the cytoplasm at the ribosomes and involves tRNA molecules bringing the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome according to the codon sequence of the mRNA.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are cellular structures composed of rRNA and proteins that facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins. They can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes have two subunits (large and small) that come together during protein synthesis to form a functional complex.
