Translation Ch 7

A collection of vocabulary flashcards to assist with understanding key terms and concepts related to transcription and translation in biology.

Genetic Code

Set of rules that translates nucleotide sequences of a gene to amino acid sequences of a protein.

Translation

The conversion of information from RNA into protein.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Redundancy

One amino acid can be coded for by multiple codons.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

Molecules that carry amino acids to the ribosome and match them to the corresponding mRNA codons.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase

An enzyme that attaches the correct amino acid to its corresponding tRNA.

Ribosome

The cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs, composed of a large and a small subunit.

Polyribosome

A complex of multiple ribosomes translating the same mRNA strand simultaneously.

Initiation of Protein Synthesis

The process that begins translation, starting with the start codon AUG.

Post-translation modifications

Chemical changes to proteins after synthesis, often aided by chaperone proteins.

Proteolysis

The breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids.

Termination of Protein Synthesis

The process that ends translation when a stop codon is read, leading to the release of the polypeptide.

Reading Frame

The way in which the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is divided into codons for translation.

Promoter

A sequence of DNA that signals the start of transcription.

5’ cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5’ end of mRNA to protect it and facilitate translation.

Poly A tail

A stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA for stability and export from the nucleus.

Chaperone Proteins

Proteins that assist in the proper folding of other proteins.

Ubiquitin

A small protein that tags damaged or unneeded proteins for degradation.

Proteosomes

Complexes that degrade unneeded or damaged proteins marked by ubiquitin.