Molecular Mechanisms of Disease module 2

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, suitable for exam review.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process by which mRNA is decoded outside the nucleus to synthesize proteins.

RNA Splicing

The modification of RNA after transcription where introns are removed and exons are joined.

Post-translational modification

Chemical changes to a protein after translation that can alter its function or activity.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Protein Folding

The process by which a protein assumes its functional three-dimensional structure.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often used to regulate protein function.

IGF-1

Insulin-like growth factor 1, a protein involved in cell growth and development.

Neutralizing antibodies

Antibodies that block pathogens from binding to their target cells.

Retinoblastoma protein (RB)

A tumor suppressor protein that regulates the cell cycle.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of cells leading to increased organ size.

Dysplasia

Abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.

Transcription Unit

A stretch of DNA that encodes an RNA molecule.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

mRNA vaccine

A vaccine type that instructs cells to produce a protein from a virus to elicit an immune response.