Insulin Regulation and Gene Expression in Bio 201

Regulatory Loop

Series of reactions restoring homeostasis in the body.

Insulin Function

Enhances glucose transport into cells and glycogen storage.

Pancreatic Beta Cells

Part of a negative feedback loop for glucose regulation.

Blood Glucose Spike

Increase in blood sugar after consuming food.

Glycogen Conversion

Liver and muscles convert glucose into glycogen.

Glucose Absorption

Tissues take up glucose from the bloodstream.

Protein Structure Levels

1st to 4th levels describe protein complexity.

Nucleotide Structure

Basic unit of nucleic acids, analogous to amino acids.

1st Protein Structure

Linear chain of amino acids linked together.

2nd Protein Structure

Local folding of amino acid chains into helices.

3rd Protein Structure

Overall 3D shape of a single protein molecule.

4th Protein Structure

Complex of multiple protein subunits, not chromosomes.

Complementary Base Pairing

Matching DNA with DNA and RNA with RNA.

DNA Transcription

Process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

RNA Molecules

Single-stranded nucleic acids transcribed from DNA.

Homeostasis

Stable internal conditions maintained by regulatory mechanisms.

Glucagon Function

Hormone that raises blood glucose levels when low.

Insulin Concentration

Increases in blood after food intake, lowering glucose.

Glucose Regulation

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels through hormones.

Transcription Steps

Involves transcription, translation, modification, and release.

Protein Modification

Post-translational changes to proteins for functionality.

Gene Expression

Process by which genes produce functional products.

RNA Polymerase

Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from DNA template.

Transcription

Process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Template Strand

DNA strand used for RNA synthesis.

Coding Strand

DNA strand with same sequence as RNA.

Promoter Region

DNA sequence that initiates transcription.

Eukaryotic Gene Expression

Complex process involving splicing and mRNA processing.

Prokaryotic Gene Expression

Simpler, faster transcription and translation process.

mRNA Processing

Modification of RNA before it exits the nucleus.

Splicing

Removal of introns from pre-mRNA.

Introns

Non-coding sequences removed during mRNA processing.

Exons

Coding sequences retained in mature mRNA.

Codon

Three-nucleotide sequence coding for an amino acid.

Anticodon

tRNA sequence complementary to mRNA codon.

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins, coded by codons.

5' and 3' Ends

Indicate directionality of nucleic acid strands.

Termination Sequence

Signals the end of transcription.

Start Codon

AUG, signals the beginning of translation.

Stop Codon

Signals termination of protein synthesis.

RNA vs DNA

RNA contains uracil; DNA contains thymine.

RNA Strand

Single-stranded nucleic acid synthesized from DNA.

Base Pairing

A-U and G-C pairing in RNA.

Translation

Process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Transcription

Process of synthesizing RNA from DNA template.

Initiation

First step in transcription and translation processes.

Elongation

Manufacturing phase in transcription and translation.

Termination

Final step where processes conclude and components reset.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that initiate transcription by binding DNA.

Release Factor

Molecule required for translation termination and dissociation.

DNA Unzipping

Process of separating DNA strands during transcription.

Silent Mutation

Mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence.

Missense Mutation

Mutation causing a change in one amino acid.

Nonsense Mutation

Mutation creating a premature stop codon.

Frameshift Mutation

Mutation caused by insertion or deletion of nucleotides.

Point Mutation

Mutation affecting a single nucleotide base pair.

Knock-out Mutation

Mutation resulting in complete loss of gene function.

mRNA Capping

Addition of a 5' cap to mRNA for stability.

Polyadenylation

Addition of a poly A tail to mRNA for protection.

Protein Folding

Process assisted by chaperone molecules for proper structure.

Resting Membrane Potential

Voltage difference across a cell membrane at rest.

Insulin Release Process

Sequence of events leading to insulin secretion.

Calcium Channels

Voltage-gated channels that open during depolarization.

Cellular Respiration

Metabolic process producing ATP from glucose.