Molecular Biology Overview and the Central Dogma

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to molecular biology, emphasizing the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and the processes of replication and transcription.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein.

DNA Replication

The process by which parental DNA is copied into two daughter DNA molecules.

Semiconservative Replication

DNA replication model where each daughter DNA contains one parental strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Base Pairing

The connection between two complementary nucleotides in DNA or RNA via hydrogen bonds.

Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) Base Pairing

Adenine pairs with thymine through two hydrogen bonds in DNA.

Guanine (G) and Cytosine (C) Base Pairing

Guanine pairs with cytosine through three hydrogen bonds in DNA.

Melting Temperature (Tm)

The temperature at which half of the DNA strands are separated.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; the template for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; carries activated amino acids to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; major component of ribosomes that aids in protein synthesis.

Kilobase (kb)

Unit of length equal to 1000 base pairs (bps) for double-stranded DNA.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme responsible for catalyzing DNA replication and forming phosphodiester bonds.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Promoter Sites

Regions on DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Introns and Exons

Introns are non-coding regions in genes; exons are coding regions that are expressed.

Consensus Sequences

Similar sequences at promoter sites that guide RNA polymerase for transcription initiation.

Gene Shuffling

The recombination of exons that may facilitate the evolution of new proteins.

LINEs

Long interspersed nuclear elements that code for reverse transcriptase and can enlarge genomes.

SINEs

Short interspersed nuclear elements, like Alu sequences, that do not encode functional proteins.

Nonsense Codons

Codons like UAA, UAG, and UGA that signal termination of translation.

Start Codon

AUG, which signals the start of protein synthesis and codes for methionine.

RNA Polymerase

Enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA; does not require a primer.