Central Dogma of Genetics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the Central Dogma of Genetics, focusing on genes, transcription, translation, and gene regulation.

gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or product.

promoter

The beginning of the gene; it is a start signal for transcription.

coding region

The part of the gene that contains the code to build the product; this part gets copied during transcription.

terminator

The end of the gene; it is a stop signal for transcription.

transcription

The production of a complementary RNA copy from a DNA template.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that carries out transcription.

mRNA

Messenger RNA produced by transcription; carries genetic information from DNA.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; a type of RNA that makes up the ribosome.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; transfers amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

translation

The process by which mRNA is decoded to build a protein.

codon

A sequence of three mRNA nucleotides that codes for one amino acid.

anti-codon

Three tRNA nucleotides that are complementary to a specific codon.

operon

A unit of genetic function including multiple genes that share a common regulatory sequence.

lac operon

An operon in E. coli involved in the metabolism of lactose.

repressor protein

A protein that prevents transcription of the operon by binding to the operator region.

inducible operon

An operon that is usually turned off but can be activated in the presence of an inducer.

allolactose

A derivative of lactose that acts as an inducer for the lac operon.