Genetics and Molecular Biology Concepts

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts related to genetics and molecular biology.

Knockout (gene)

Refers to removing a gene or rendering it nonfunctional to study its effects.

Null allele

An allele that has lost its normal function, either through deletion or mutation.

Metabolic pathway

A series of chemical reactions in a cell that build up or break down a particular substance.

Arginine synthesis pathway

A specific pathway that allows for the production of arginine through various precursors.

One gene, one enzyme hypothesis

The hypothesis stating that each gene encodes for a single enzyme.

Central dogma of molecular biology

The framework explaining the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Transcription

The process of using a DNA template to synthesize complementary RNA.

Translation

The process of decoding RNA to synthesize proteins.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides that correspond to a specific amino acid.

Triplet code

The genetic code where three nucleotide bases specify one amino acid.

Start codon

The codon that signals the start of protein synthesis, typically AUG.

Stop codon

A codon that signals the termination of protein synthesis; examples include UGA, UAA, and UAG.

Genetic code

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins.

Redundant genetic code

More than one codon can specify the same amino acid.

Unambiguous genetic code

Each codon specifies only one amino acid and no other.

Nonoverlapping genetic code

Codons are read one at a time; no overlapping occurs.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

RNA that forms the core of the ribosome's structure and catalyzes protein synthesis.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

The RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA by transcribing DNA.