Biology: Central Dogma, RNA Types, and Protein Synthesis

Central dogma

Theory that states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins.

RNA

Nucleic acid molecule that allows for the transmission of genetic information and protein synthesis.

Transcription

Process of copying a nucleotide sequence of DNA to form a complementary strand of RNA.

RNA polymerase

Enzyme that helps the formation of a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Form of RNA that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

RNA that is in the ribosome and guides the translation of mRNA into a protein.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Form of RNA that brings amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.

Gene

Specific region of DNA that codes for a particular protein.

Translation

Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced.

Codon

Sequence of three nucleotides that codes for one amino acid.

Start codon

Codon that signals to ribosomes to begin translation; codes for the first amino acid in a protein.

Stop codon

Codon that signals to ribosomes to stop translation.

Anticodon

Set of three nucleotides in a tRNA molecule that binds to a complementary mRNA codon during translation.

Amino acid

Molecule that makes up proteins; composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids that are linked together by peptide bonds which then fold and combine with other chains to form a protein.