Genetics and Protein Synthesis – Video Notes (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to chromosomal organization, transcription, translation, and DNA replication from the video notes.

Chromosomal territory

Region in the nucleus where a chromosome's genes are organized and made accessible for transcription at the proper time.

Chromatin

DNA-protein complex that is less condensed when a cell isn’t dividing; condenses into chromosomes during cell division.

DNA replication

Process that copies the cell’s DNA to produce two identical DNA molecules.

Gene

Information-containing segment of DNA that codes for the RNA which helps make a protein.

Central dogma

Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.

Genetic code

Set of rules by which mRNA codons specify amino acids; includes 20 amino acids, 3 stop codons, and 1 start codon.

Start codon

AUG; signals the start of translation and codes for methionine as the first amino acid.

Stop codons

Codons that signal termination of translation; three stop codons.

46 chromosomes; 23 in sex cells

Most body (somatic) cells have 46 chromosomes; egg and sperm (gametes) have half, 23 chromosomes.

RNA polymerase

Enzyme that binds to DNA, unwinds the double helix, reads the template, and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand (mRNA).

Transcription

Process of making messenger RNA by copying a gene’s DNA sequence with the help of RNA polymerase.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

RNA transcript that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Ribosome

Organelle that reads mRNA and assembles amino acids into a protein; can be free in cytosol or bound to rough endoplasmic reticulum.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; carries a specific amino acid to the ribosome and contains an anticodon that pairs with the mRNA codon.

Translation

Process of translating the mRNA sequence into a chain of amino acids to form a protein, with initiation, elongation, and termination.