CH 13 Gene Expression: The Flow of Information from DNA to RNA to Protein

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to gene expression, the genetic code, transcription, translation, and mutation, providing a solid basis for studying molecular biology.

Gene Expression

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Transcription

The process of converting DNA into mRNA.

Codon

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

Start Codon

The codon that signals the start of translation, which is AUG.

Stop Codon

Codons that signal the end of translation; examples include UAA, UAG, and UGA.

Reading Frame

The way nucleotides are grouped into codons for translation.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that shifts the reading frame.

Mutagenesis

The process of inducing mutations, often for study.

Enhancers

Sequences of DNA that increase the likelihood of transcription of a particular gene.

Post-translational Processing

Modifications to proteins after translation that affect their function.

mRNA Processing

The modifications made to mRNA after transcription, including capping and polyadenylation.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA and RNA, consisting of a base, sugar, and phosphate.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, encoded by codons in mRNA.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids that fold into a protein.

Intragenic Suppression

A phenomenon where a second mutation cancels the effects of the first mutation within the same gene.

Nuclear Membrane

A barrier that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm and affects gene expression in eukaryotes.

Synthetic mRNAs

Man-made strands of RNA used to study translation and the genetic code.

Triplet Code

The concept that three nucleotides form a single codon.

Colinear

A term describing the direct correspondence between nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences.

Eukaryotic Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template in eukaryotic cells, involving multiple steps.

Prokaryotic Transcription

The simpler process of RNA synthesis in prokaryotes, which occurs in the cytoplasm.

Ribosome Function

The role of ribosomes in translating mRNA into proteins.

Complementary Bases

Nucleotide pairs in DNA and RNA that bond together following specific base-pairing rules.

Energy Requirement in Gene Expression

The need for ATP and other energy sources in the processes of transcription and translation.

Translation

The process where ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the sequence of codons in mRNA.

Missense Mutation

A type of mutation that results in a different amino acid being incorporated into a protein.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that results in a premature stop codon, truncating the protein.

Genetic Code Redundancy

The phenomenon where multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

Nucleotide Sequence

The order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule that determines genetic information.

Codon Recognition

The process by which tRNA recognizes specific codons on the mRNA during translation.

Termination of Translation

The final step in protein synthesis when a stop codon is reached.

Turnovers of Genetic Code

The changes and exceptions in the genetic code across different organisms.

Mitochondrial DNA

DNA found in mitochondria that shows exceptions to the universal genetic code.