Protein Synthesis Review

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

mRNA

messenger RNA; type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome

tRNA

transfer RNA; type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome

rRNA

ribosomal RNA; type of RNA that makes up part of the ribosome

transcription

synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template

translation

Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced

codon

three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid

anti-codon

group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon

amino acid

Building blocks of protein

protein

A three dimensional polymer made of monomers of amino acids.

RNA polymerase

enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA nucleotides during transcription using a DNA strand as a template

adenine

The base that pairs with Thymine in DNA

thymine

The base that pairs with Adenine in DNA

cytosine

The base that pairs with Guanine with DNA

guanine

The base that pairs with Cytosine in DNA

uracil

Nitrogen base that pairs with adenine in RNA.

codon chart

Device used to determine the amino acid coded for by a codon

prokaryotic cell

A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles; found only in the domains Bacteria and Archaea.

Eukaryotic cells

Contain a nucleus and other organelles that are bound by membranes.

Polypeptide

A polymer (chain) of many amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.

Ribosome

site of protein synthesis

point mutation

gene mutation in which a single base pair in DNA has been changed

frameshift mutation

mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide in the DNA sequence