Gene to Protein Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about gene to protein processes.

What is a gene?

A sequence of DNA that codes for amino acids to make proteins.

What was Archibald Garrod's hypothesis regarding genes?

Genes control enzyme production; errors in genes lead to errors in enzyme function/production.

Who are George Beadle & Edward Tatum?

They experimentally demonstrated Garrod's hypothesis using mould.

What revision did Vernon Ingram make to the one gene-one enzyme hypothesis?

One gene - one polypeptide hypothesis.

What is hemoglobin?

A protein with 4 polypeptides (2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains), where different genes control each chain.

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

DNA -> RNA -> Protein

What is transcription?

Copying DNA into complementary messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus.

What is translation?

Ribosomes read & translate mRNA to signal amino acids to form polypeptides, ultimately creating proteins.

What happens during the initiation stage of transcription?

RNA polymerase opens the double helix and binds to the promoter site.

What happens during the elongation stage of transcription?

RNA polymerase reads the DNA template (3'-5') and forms mRNA (5'-3').

What happens during the termination stage of transcription?

RNA polymerase recognizes the 'stop codon', and the mRNA transcript releases from the DNA to enter the cytoplasm.

What happens during the initiation stage of translation?

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) binds to a specific site on the mRNA transcript.

What happens during the elongation stage of translation?

rRNA reads one codon (3 nucleotides) at a time; each codon codes for an amino acid, and transfer RNA (tRNA) delivers the appropriate amino acid for polypeptide building.

What happens during the termination stage of translation?

rRNA reads the 'stop codon' (which does not code for an amino acid), rRNA falls off, and the polypeptide chain releases.

What amino acid does Ala stand for?

Alanine

What amino acid does Arg stand for?

Arginine

What amino acid does Asn stand for?

Asparagine

What amino acid does Asp stand for?

Aspartic acid

What amino acid does Cys stand for?

Cysteine

What amino acid does Glu stand for?

Glutamic acid

What amino acid does Gln stand for?

Glutamine

What amino acid does Gly stand for?

Glycine

What amino acid does His stand for?

Histidine

What amino acid does Ile stand for?

Isoleucine

What amino acid does Leu stand for?

Leucine

What amino acid does Lys stand for?

Lysine

What amino acid does Met stand for?

Methionine

What amino acid does Phe stand for?

Phenylalanine

What amino acid does Pro stand for?

Proline

What amino acid does Ser stand for?

Serine

What amino acid does Thr stand for?

Threonine

What amino acid does Trp stand for?

Tryptophan

What amino acid does Tyr stand for?

Tyrosine

What amino acid does Val stand for?

Valine