Central Dogma of Molecular Biology and Its Expansions

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the central dogma of molecular biology, its traditional views, and newer discoveries that expand or contradict these views.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The framework describing the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Francis Crick and James Watson

Scientists who discovered the structure of DNA and proposed the central dogma.

Rosalind Franklin

Scientist whose X-ray diffraction images were crucial in determining the helical structure of DNA.

DNA replication

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself prior to cell division.

Transcription

The process of converting DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from RNA templates.

Proteins

Molecules that perform various tasks in living cells and make up their structure.

Reverse transcription

The process where RNA is converted back into DNA.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme that synthesizes complementary DNA from an RNA template.

Retroviruses

Viruses that replicate their RNA genomes by reverse transcription into DNA, e.g., HIV.

RNA viruses

Viruses that carry their genetic material as RNA and may directly use it for protein synthesis.

Examples of RNA viruses

Coronaviruses, influenza virus, paramyxovirus.

Noncoding RNA (ncRNA)

Functional RNA molecules that do not translate into proteins but have roles in cellular processes.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

A type of RNA that helps decode messenger RNA into a protein.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

RNA that makes up the major part of ribosomes and is crucial for protein synthesis.

Epigenetics

The study of heritable changes in gene activity not caused by changes in DNA sequence.

DNA methylation

An epigenetic mechanism involved in regulating gene expression by adding methyl groups to DNA.

Histone modification

Changes to the proteins that DNA wraps around, affecting gene accessibility and expression.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism as determined by its genotype and environment.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism.

Heritable changes

Alterations in gene activity that can be passed down to future generations without changing the DNA sequence.

Functional RNA

RNA molecules that have roles in cellular functions without encoding proteins.

Cell differentiation

The process by which a cell changes from one cell type to another, often influenced by epigenetic mechanisms.

Gene expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, typically a protein.

SARS epidemic

An outbreak caused by the SARS coronavirus, highlighting the health impacts of RNA viruses.

Influenza virus

A virus that causes the flu, known for its ability to mutate and require annual vaccines.

Measles virus

Pathogen responsible for measles, a contagious RNA virus.

Cellular machinery

The complex of proteins and RNAs that facilitate cellular processes such as replication and translation.

Template strand

The strand of DNA or RNA that serves as a pattern for synthesizing a complementary strand.

Complementary DNA (cDNA)

DNA synthesized from an RNA template through the process of reverse transcription.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

RNA template

The strand of RNA used as a guide to synthesize a complementary RNA or DNA strand.

Transcription factors

Proteins that help initiate and regulate the transcription of genes.

Cellular pathways

Routes through which biochemical signals or processes lead to cellular responses.

Gene regulation

The process of turning genes on or off to control gene expression levels.

Nucleus

The cellular organelle that contains the genetic material in eukaryotic cells.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus.

Genetic code

The set of rules by which information in DNA is translated into proteins.

Post-transcriptional modifications

Changes made to RNA after transcription, affecting its stability and translation.

Functional genomics

The study of the relationship between genes and their functioning products, especially proteins.

Molecular biology

The branch of science concerned with the study of biological processes at the molecular level.

Biological pathways

Series of actions among molecules in a cell that leads to a certain product or change.

Retrotransposons

Genetic elements that can amplify themselves in a genome and may impact gene expression.

RNA editing

A molecular process through which the information content of an RNA molecule is altered.

Cell signaling

The process by which cells communicate with each other, often involving proteins.

Translational regulation

Control of the amount of protein produced from its mRNA.

Genetic diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.