Biology Chapter 7: DNA, Transcription, Translation and Mutations

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to DNA structure, transcription, translation, and mutations, key concepts from Biology Chapter 7.

DNA

A double helix structure composed of two strands connected by complementary bases (A-T and C-G).

Chromosome

The entire length of DNA helix; humans have 46 chromosomes.

Gene

A short structure of DNA that encodes a protein, with approximately 20,000 genes in the human genome.

Transcription

The process where DNA is used as a template to build RNA, with RNA polymerase playing a vital role.

Codon

A set of three nucleotides that corresponds to a specific amino acid or signal during protein synthesis.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that is transcribed from the DNA template and carries genetic information for protein synthesis.

Exon

Expressed regions of mRNA that code for proteins.

Intron

Intervening regions in mRNA that are removed during RNA processing.

Splicing

The process of removing introns and connecting exons in mRNA before it can exit the nucleus.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, linking to specific mRNA codons.

Polypeptide chain

A chain of amino acids linked together that eventually folds into a functional protein.

Operons

Genetic regulatory systems found in prokaryotes that control the transcription of genes based on cellular needs.

Point mutation

A mutation that changes one nucleotide to another nucleotide in a DNA sequence.

Insertion mutation

A mutation that involves adding extra nucleotides into a DNA sequence.

Deletion mutation

A mutation where nucleotides are completely removed from a DNA sequence.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during the transcription process.

Amino acid

The building blocks of proteins, linked together by tRNA molecules during translation.