Transcription and mRNA Processing

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the processes of transcription and mRNA processing as learned from the lecture notes.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

The type of RNA that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

Poly-A tail

A sequence of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA to enhance its stability and facilitate its export from the nucleus.

Intron

A non-coding segment of a gene that is removed during RNA processing.

Exon

A coding segment of a gene that is retained during RNA processing.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA by transcribing DNA.

Splicing

The process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and joining exons together.

5’ cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA that protects it from degradation and assists in ribosome attachment.

Transcription Initiation Complex

A group of proteins that assemble on a gene's promoter to initiate transcription.

Translation

The process where ribosomes synthesize proteins using the mRNA as a template.

What is a promoter in transcription?

A promoter is a specific DNA sequence that acts as a binding site for RNA polymerase, signaling where transcription should begin for a particular gene.

What is an enhancer in transcription?

An enhancer is a regulatory DNA sequence that can be located far from a gene's promoter and either upstream or downstream. It binds with specific transcription factors to increase the rate of transcription for a gene.