DNA, Genes, and Transcription Vocabulary

Flashcards covering vocabulary terms related to DNA, genes, transcription, and gene structure in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Histone

Proteins that compact DNA in cells, made up of eight individual polypeptides and allows the DNA to fit within the nucleus of the cell.

Chromatin

Compacted DNA wrapped around histones.

Genome

All of your DNA, all your chromosomes, all your DNA that makes up your genome.

Gene

A sequence of nucleotides of DNA or RNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA.

Transcription

Process by which an RNA copy is made of DNA.

Gene Expression

A gene is expressed, meaning made into protein.

Promoter

Region where RNA polymerase attaches to DNA.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that makes RNA off of DNA.

Sigma Factors

An additional protein that guides RNA polymerase to the promoter in prokaryotes.

Operator Sequence

Segment of DNA where a repressor binds in prokaryotes.

Enhancers

Regions of DNA where transcription factors bind to increase the likelihood of gene transcription in eukaryotes.

Silencers

Regions of DNA that binds to transcription factors to prevent or decrease the likelihood of gene transcription in eukaryotes.

Five Prime UTR

Untranslated region on the three prime end of the gene on the five prime end of the RNA that is involved in mRNA finding and attaching to the ribosome and mRNA export.

Exons

Part of the gene that actually encodes for amino acid sequence.

Introns

Sequences that are removed from the RNA before it leaves the nucleus.

Three Prime UTR

Untranslated region on the tail end of the mRNA that is involved in stability of the mRNA export from the nucleus and addition of the poly a tail.