From DNA to RNA to Protein: Transcription and Translation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the processes of transcription and translation in molecular biology.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Promoter

A sequence of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Template Strand

The strand of DNA that is read by RNA polymerase in the 3' to 5' direction during transcription.

Exons

Coding sequences in a gene that are expressed in the final mRNA product.

Introns

Non-coding sequences in a gene that are removed during mRNA processing.

Codons

Triplets of nucleotides in mRNA that code for specific amino acids.

Translation

The process by which the sequence of codons in mRNA is used to synthesize a polypeptide.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, the molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Ribosome

A complex of proteins and rRNA where translation occurs, consisting of a large and a small subunit.

5' Cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA, important for stability and initiation of translation.

Poly-A tail

A stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA, enhancing stability and export from the nucleus.

Start Codon

The codon (AUG) that signals the start of translation.

Stop Codon

Codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) that signal the termination of translation.

Degenerate Code

Refers to the redundancy in the genetic code where multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.