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27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Gene Expression |
The process by which information encoded in DNA directs the synthesis of proteins or, in some cases, RNAs that are not translated into proteins and instead function as RNAs |
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Transcription |
The synthesis of RNA using a DNA template |
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Messenger RNA (mRNA) |
A type of RNA, synthesized using a DNA template, that attaches to ribosomes in the cytoplasm and specifies the primary structure of a protein. (In eukaryotes, the primary RNA transcript must undergo RNA processing to become mRNA) |
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Translation |
The synthesis of a polypeptide using the genetic information encoded in an mRNA molecule. There is a change of "language" from nucleotides to amino acids |
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Ribosome |
A complex of rRNA and protein molecules that functions as a sit of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm; consists of a large and a small subunit. In eukaryotic cells, each subunit is assembled in the nucleolus |
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Primary Transcript |
An initial RNA transcript from any gene
AKA pre-mRNA when transcribed from a protein-coding gene |
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Triplet Code |
A genetic information system in which a set of three-nucleotide-long words specify the amino acids for polypeptide chains |
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Template Strand |
The DNA strand that provides the pattern, or template, for ordering, by complementary base pairing, the sequence of nucleotides in an RNA transcipt |
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Codon |
A three-nucleotide sequence of DNA or mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or termination signal; the basic unit of the genetic code |
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Reading Frame |
On an mRNA, the triplet grouping of ribonucleotides used by the translation machinery during polypeptide synthesis |
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RNA Polymerase |
An enzyme that links ribonucleotides into a growing RNA chain during transcription, based on complementary binding to nucleotides on a DNA template strand |
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Promoter |
A specific nucleotide sequence in the DNA of a gene that binds RNA polymerase, positioning it to start transcribing RNA at the appropriate place |
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Terminator |
In bacteria, a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that marks the end of a gene and signals RNA polymerase to release the newly made RNA molecule and detach from the DNA |
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Transcription Unit |
A region of DNA that is transcribed into an RNA molecule |
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Start Point |
In transcription, the nucleotide position on the promoter where RNA polymerase begins synthesis of RNA |
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Transcription Factor |
A regulatory proteins that binds to DNA and affects transcription of specific genes |
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Transcription Initiation Complex |
The completed assembly of transcription factors and RNA polymerase bound to a promoter |
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TATA box |
A DNA sequence in eukaryotic promoters crucial in forming the transcription initiation complex |
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RNA Processing |
Modification of RNA primary transcripts, including splicing out of introns, joining together of exons, and alteration of the 5' and 3' ends |
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5' Cap |
A modified form of guanine nucleotide added onto the 5' end of a pre-mRNA molecule |
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Poly-A-Tail |
A sequence of 50-250 adenine nucleotides added onto the 3' end of a pre-mRNA molecule |
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RNA splicing |
After synthesis of a eukaryotic primary RNA transcript, the removal of portions of the transcript (introns) that will not be included in the mRNA and the joining together of the remaining portions (exons) |
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Intron |
A noncoding, intervening sequence within a primary transcript that is removed from the transcript during RNA processing; also refers to the region of DNA from which this sequence was transcribed |
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Exon |
A sequence within a primary transcript that remains in the RNA after RNA processing; also refers to the region of DNA from which this sequence was transcribed |
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Spliceosome |
A large complex made up of proteins and RNA molecules that splices RNA by interacting with the ends of an RNA intron, releasing the intron and joining the two adjacent exons |
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Ribozyme |
An RNA molecule that functions as an enzyme, such as an intron that catalyzes its own removal during RNA splicing |
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pg |
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