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Flow of Genetic Information
The process by which information in DNA is converted into proteins, affecting traits.
Transcription
The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.
Translation
The process of synthesizing a polypeptide from mRNA.
Central dogma
The framework explaining the transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
RNA
Ribonucleic acid, which acts as a bridge between genes and the proteins they encode.
mRNA
Messenger RNA that carries the genetic information transcribed from DNA.
Polypeptide
A chain of amino acids that forms a protein.
Ribosomes
Cellular structures where translation occurs, synthesizing proteins from mRNA.
Template strand
The DNA strand that serves as a template for RNA synthesis during transcription.
Codons
Triplets of nucleotides in mRNA that specify amino acids during translation.
Genetic code
The set of rules by which information encoded in DNA is translated into proteins.
Spliceosomes
Complexes that remove introns from RNA transcripts during processing.
Introns
Non-coding segments of RNA that are removed during RNA splicing.
Exons
Coding segments of RNA that are expressed and translated into proteins.
Poly-A tail
A stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA for stability and export.
5' cap
A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA for protection and ribosome recognition.
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
An enzyme that attaches the correct amino acid to its corresponding tRNA.
Wobble position
The flexibility in the pairing between the third base of a codon and the corresponding tRNA.
Release factor
A protein that recognizes stop codons during translation and facilitates termination.
Post-translational modifications
Changes made to a polypeptide after translation, which can affect its function.
Alternative splicing
A process that allows a single gene to code for multiple proteins by varying the selection of exons.
Ribozymes
Catalytic RNA molecules that can splice RNA and carry out enzymatic functions.
Transcription factors
Proteins that regulate the binding of RNA polymerase to DNA and initiate transcription.
Promoter
A DNA sequence that signals the start point for transcription.
RNA polymerase
An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.
Transcription initiation complex
The assembled structure of transcription factors and RNA polymerase bound to a promoter.
Termination signal
A sequence in DNA that signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription.
A site
The ribosome's aminoacyl-tRNA binding site where the next amino acid is added.
P site
The ribosome's peptidyl-tRNA binding site where the growing polypeptide chain is held.
E site
The exit site of a ribosome, where discharged tRNAs leave.
Protein synthesis
The process of translating mRNA into a protein.
Translation initiation complex
The assembly of mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomal subunits that begins translation.
Elongation factors
Proteins that assist in the elongation phase of translation.
Peptide bond
The bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.
Polyribosome
A cluster of ribosomes translating a single mRNA strand simultaneously.
C-terminal domain (CTD)
A region of RNA polymerase II that is phosphorylated to regulate its activity.
RNA processing
Modifications made to pre-mRNA before it becomes mature mRNA.
mRNA (messenger RNA)
RNA that carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.
tRNA (transfer RNA)
RNA that transports amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.
rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
RNA that makes up the structural and functional components of ribosomes.
5' UTR (untranslated region)
The segment of mRNA that is not translated into protein but is important for regulation.
3' UTR (untranslated region)
The region of mRNA downstream of the coding sequence that helps regulate gene expression.
Amino acid
The basic building block of proteins, linked together by peptide bonds.
Hydrogen bonds
Weak bonds that help maintain the structure of RNA and proteins.
Nucleotides
The basic units of RNA and DNA; composed of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Thymine
A nitrogenous base found in DNA but not in RNA; replaced by uracil in RNA.
Uracil
A nitrogenous base found in RNA that pairs with adenine.
DNA template
The strand of DNA used as a template for RNA synthesis.
Genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism, which determines its traits.
Phenotype
The observable traits of an organism, influenced by its genotype.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
RNA that makes up the ribosomes and plays a role in protein synthesis.
Transcription unit
The region of DNA that is transcribed into RNA.
Nuclear envelope
The membrane that encloses the nucleus, separating transcription from translation in eukaryotes.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
RNA that carries coding information from DNA to the ribosome.
Protein folding
The process by which a polypeptide chain adopts its functional three-dimensional structure.
Signal sequence
A short peptide that directs the transport of a protein to its designated location in the cell.
Gene expression
The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products.
