Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in transcription and translation.

mRNA

Carries a copy of DNA to the cytoplasm.

rRNA

Makes up the ribosomes by forming a large and small subunit.

tRNA

Translates nucleic acid code into protein code.

Promoter

Signals the beginning of transcription.

Regulatory sequence

Binding site for regulatory proteins.

Transcribed region

Contains information that specifies an amino acid sequence.

Terminator

Signals the end of transcription.

TATA box

The site in transcription where transcription factors bind.

Template strand direction

If the mRNA strand reads 3' to 5', the template strand goes 5' to 3'.

Coding strand direction

If the mRNA strand reads 3' to 5', the coding strand goes 5' to 3'.

Transcription direction

If the mRNA is 3' to 5', transcription is occurring to the left.

Initiation of transcription

Sigma factor binds to the promoter allowing RNA polymerase to recognize it.

Elongation of transcription

RNA polymerase slides along the DNA to synthesize RNA in the open complex.

Termination of transcription

RNA polymerase and the RNA transcript dissociate from the DNA at the terminator.

mRNA ends

5' transcript end, 3' transcript end.

RNA splicing

Editing of the (pre)-mRNA transcript by the splicesome, which removes introns and joins exons.

Codon-anticodon pairing

If the codon sequence is AUG, the anticodon sequence on the tRNA is UAC.

Anticodon for Gln-Asp-Phe-Asn

The anticodons are GUU or GUC for Gln, CUA or CUG for Asp, AAA or AAG for Phe, UUA or UUG for Asn.

Translation start sequence

The mRNA sequence 5' - AUG GAA AGC - 3' codes for amino acids Met-Glu-Ser.

Peptide bond formation

Catalyzed by rRNA during translation.

A site of the ribosome

Codon attachment (recognition).

P site of the ribosome

Peptide transfer reaction site.

E site of the ribosome

Exit site for tRNA.

Anticodon direction

The anticodon on tRNA goes in the 3' to 5' direction.

Initiation of translation

The small ribosomal subunit binds to mRNA, the initiator tRNA binds to the start codon, and the large subunit binds.

Elongation of translation

Charged tRNA binds to the A site, forming a bond between the polypeptide chain and the amino acid in the A site.

Termination of translation

A stop codon causes a release factor to bind to the A site, causing the polypeptide to be released.

Transcription factors

Proteins that bind to the TATA box during transcription initiation.

Release factor in translation

Binds to the A site at a stop codon to release the polypeptide.

Open complex

The unwound DNA structure at the transcription site.

Sigma factor

A protein that helps RNA polymerase bind to the promoter.

Polypeptide transfer

Occurs during elongation when the growing chain is transferred to the A site.