Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to nucleic acids, their structure, functions, replication, and protein synthesis.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules composed of nucleotide monomers. The two main types are DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

Monomer unit of nucleic acids consisting of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a double-stranded nucleic acid that stores genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis.

Purines

A group of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids, characterized by a double ring structure (includes adenine and guanine).

Pyrimidines

A group of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids, characterized by a single ring structure (includes cytosine, thymine, and uracil).

Phosphodiester bond

A strong covalent bond that links nucleotides together, forming the backbone of DNA and RNA.

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA (A with T, C with G) and RNA (A with U, C with G).

DNA replication

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself, involving enzymes like helicase and DNA polymerase.

Leading strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously during DNA replication in the 5' to 3' direction.

Lagging strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized discontinuously in short sections (Okazaki fragments) during DNA replication.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA templates at ribosomes.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotide bases in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three bases on tRNA that is complementary to a codon on mRNA.

Histones

Proteins around which DNA is tightly coiled to form nucleosomes and compact chromatin.

Euchromatin

Less tightly packed form of chromatin that is transcriptionally active.

Heterochromatin

Tightly packed form of chromatin that is transcriptionally inactive.

Nucleosome

The fundamental structure of chromatin, consisting of a segment of DNA wrapped around a core of histones.

Peptide bond

A covalent bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Okazaki fragments

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.