AP BIO Unit 6 Part 1 Vocab

Transcription

Process that converts DNA Nucleic Acid language into RNA Nucleic Acid language.

RNA Structure

• Ribose sugar.

• Nitrogen bases: Uracil, Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine.

• Single stranded.

Template Strand

Transcribed DNA strand; the strand of DNA that is temporarily paired with the RNA.

Transcription Bubble

Where DNA unzips for transcription to begin.

RNA Polymerase

Transcribes genes into mRNA.

Promoter Region

Binding site before beginning of gene; for RNA Polymerase and transcription factors.

TATA Box Binding Site

A DNA sequence in eukaryotic promoters crucial in forming the transcription initiation complex.

Exons

The real gene; expressed/coding DNA

Introns

The junk genetic material; IN between sequence.

mRNA Splicing

Post-transcriptional processing; edits out introns.

Mature mRNA

The final product of mRNA splicing.

Spliceosome

Several snRNPs. Recognize splice site sequence. "Cut and paste" gene.

Alternative Splicing

Alternative mRNAs produced from same gene; different segments treated as exons.

Post-Transcriptional Processing

Need to protect mRNA on its trip from nucleus to cytoplasm; enzymes in cytoplasm attack mRNA.

mRNA Caps

5' GTP Cap and Poly-A Tail; longer tail, mRNA lasts longer: produces more protein.

Reading Frame

Reading mRNA nucleotides in the correct groupings. If a single base is added or lost, it throws off the entire reading frame.