Lecture Review on Molecular Biology and Evolution

Flashcards covering essential terminology and concepts from lectures on molecular biology, evolution, and ecology.

Central Dogma

The process by which genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.

Transcription

The process of copying a gene's DNA sequence into RNA.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Template strand

The DNA strand that is used as a guide for RNA synthesis during transcription.

Promoter

A specific DNA sequence that determines where transcription begins.

Intrinsic termination

A mechanism in transcription termination that includes the formation of hairpin loops.

Alternative splicing

A process that allows a single gene to encode multiple protein variants.

Translation

The process by which the mRNA sequence is decoded into a protein at the ribosome.

Ribosome

The cellular structure where translation occurs, composed of rRNA and proteins.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Operon

A group of genes regulated together in prokaryotes, including a promoter and operator.

Lac operon

An inducible operon activated in the presence of lactose.

Trp operon

A repressible operon turned off when tryptophan is abundant.

Point mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that include substitutions, insertions, and deletions.

Silent mutation

A mutation that does not change the protein produced.

Transcription factors

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression in eukaryotes.

Epigenetics

Changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, often through DNA methylation or histone modification.

RNA interference

Mechanisms involving small RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.

Natural selection

The process by which certain traits increase in frequency in a population due to differential reproductive success.

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

A model for detecting evolution based on allele frequencies in a population.

Phylogenetic tree

A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Speciation

The process by which populations become reproductively isolated and diverge genetically.

Innate behavior

Behaviors that are genetically programmed and include reflexes and instincts.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and how it is shaped by evolutionary history and ecological processes.

Keystone species

Species that have a disproportionately large impact on their community.