Things involved in DNA & RNA transcription

RNA polymerse

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA by using a DNA template during the transcription process. RNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of RNA strands complementary to the DNA sequence.

Transcription Initiation complex

The Transition factor proteins, the start codon, and the RNA polymease

Transition factor protiens

Proteins that assist in the formation of the transcription initiation complex by facilitating the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter region of a gene.

Helicase

Unwinds the double helix in DNA so that RNA polymerase can have access.

Neucleotides is added to DNA in which direction?

5’ to 3’

Okazaki fragments

Short sequences of DNA synthesized discontinuously on the lagging strand during DNA replication, which are later joined together by DNA ligase. (still in 5’ to 3’)

Primer

The initial nucleotide strand that is needed to provide a starting point for RNA Poltmerase to begin transcription. Only one is needed for the leading strand, but the lagging strand needs one for every okazaki fragment

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments together during DNA replication and facilitates the sealing of breaks in the DNA backbone.

Nucleotide Excision

Repair mechanism that removes damaged DNA segments and replaces them with the correct nucleotides.

DNA dimers

Cross-linked DNA segments that form when adjacent thymine bases bond, this causes mutations.

rRNA

A type of RNA that is a structural component of ribosomes, essential for protein synthesis.

rRNA function

rRNA's primary function is to facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins by providing a site for the assembly of amino acids during protein synthesis.

Positive selection pressure

A process where certain traits increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction, leading to those traits becoming more common in a population over generations.

Negative selection pressure

A process that reduces the frequency of harmful traits in a population by decreasing the reproductive success of individuals with those traits.

Central Dogma meaning

The specific order of DNA to RNA to protien.

Topoisomerase

An enzyme that alters the supercoiled form of DNA during transcription and replication, helping to relieve tension in the DNA strand.

How many H bonds hold DNA together?

2 for A and T, 3 for G and C

Methylization

The process of adding a methyl group to DNA, which can affect gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

RNAi

A biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression by causing the degradation of specific mRNA molecules.

Enhancers

are short regions of DNA that can be bound by proteins to enhance the transcription of a gene. They play a critical role in regulating gene expression.