DNA Replication, Transcription, and Mutation: Key Concepts for Biology
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46 Terms
DNA replication
The process of making a copy of DNA.
Origin of replication
The location on DNA where replication begins.
Replication fork
The Y-shaped area where DNA is opened and copied.
Topoisomerase
Straightens DNA ahead of the replication fork.
Helicase
Unzips the DNA by separating the two strands.
Binding proteins
Keep the separated DNA strands from joining back together.
Primase
Enzyme that adds an RNA primer.
RNA primer
A short starting piece needed before DNA polymerase can begin.
DNA polymerase
Adds complementary DNA bases to build a new DNA strand.
Complementary bases
Bases that correctly pair with each other.
DNA base pairing
A pairs with T, and G pairs with C.
Leading strand
DNA strand that is made continuously.
Lagging strand
DNA strand that is made in separate pieces.
Okazaki fragments
Short pieces of DNA made on the lagging strand.
Why is the lagging strand made in pieces?
It must be built in short sections as the DNA opens.
Central dogma
DNA → RNA → Protein.
Protein
A molecule made from amino acids.
Amino acid
A building block used to make proteins.
DNA bases
G, C, A, and T.
RNA bases
G, C, A, and U.
Codon
A group of 3 RNA bases that represents an amino acid or stop signal.
Why are 3 bases used in a codon?
Three-base combinations provide enough codes for the amino acids.
Transcription
The creation of mRNA from DNA.
Where does transcription occur in eukaryotes?
In the nucleus.
mRNA
Messenger RNA that carries genetic instructions used to make a protein.
What happens to eukaryotic mRNA before leaving the nucleus?
It is modified before leaving.
Translation
The process of using mRNA instructions to build a protein.
Ribosome
The structure where translation occurs and proteins are built.
tRNA
Carries an amino acid to the ribosome.
Anticodon
A 3-base sequence on tRNA that matches an mRNA codon.
What happens at the ribosome's A site?
A tRNA enters and matches its anticodon with the mRNA codon.
What happens after tRNA enters the A site?
The growing amino acid chain attaches to its amino acid.
What happens after the amino acids connect?
The ribosome shifts over one codon.
What happens at the ribosome's E site?
The tRNA exits the ribosome.
Mutation
A change in genetic material.
Spontaneous mutation
A mutation that naturally occurs during normal cell processes.
Silent mutation
A mutation that does not change the protein's amino acid sequence.
Nonsense mutation
A mutation that changes a codon into a STOP codon.
Frameshift mutation
A mutation caused by inserting or deleting bases.
Why can a frameshift be a big problem?
It shifts the following groups of three bases.
Horizontal gene transfer
When prokaryotic cells exchange genetic material.
Transformation
When a prokaryotic cell takes foreign DNA into its own genome.
Transduction
When a virus transfers new genetic material to a bacterium.
Bacteriophage
A virus that infects bacteria.
Generalized transduction
A virus accidentally transfers DNA from one bacterial cell to another.
Specialized transduction
A virus carries bacterial DNA near where viral DNA was inserted and transfers it.