Protein Synthesis Flashcards

Flashcards about Protein Synthesis and the Central Dogma

Protein Synthesis

The process by which DNA information is used to synthesize proteins outside the nucleus, in the cytoplasm, on ribosomes.

Central Dogma

DNA is transcribed into a complementary RNA message, which is then translated by ribosomes into polypeptide chains that fold into proteins.

Codon

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

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into messenger RNA.

Translation

The process of using messenger RNA as a blueprint to synthesize a protein composed of amino acids.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Transfers the appropriate amino acid to the ribosome to build a protein.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

A structural component of a ribosome.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that binds to DNA at a specific site (promoter) and builds the mRNA transcript during transcription.

Promoter

The site on DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Contains ribose sugar, is single-stranded, uses uracil instead of thymine, and resides both in the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Contains deoxyribose sugar, is double-stranded, uses thymine instead of uracil, and resides in the nucleus.