Cell Level Processes: Gene Expression & Protein Synthesis

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to gene expression and protein synthesis, including mutations and the structure and function of RNA.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a protein.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process where ribosomes create proteins based on the sequence of codons in mRNA.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids that makes up proteins.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

A type of RNA that, together with proteins, makes up the ribosome.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

A type of RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Codon

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

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Mis-sense Mutation

A mutation that results in a single amino acid change in a protein.

Non-sense Mutation

A mutation that creates a premature stop codon in the protein sequence.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation that results from insertion or deletion of nucleotides, shifting the entire reading frame.

Redundant Genetic Code

The phenomenon where multiple codons can specify the same amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three bases on tRNA that is complementary to a codon in mRNA.

Stop Codon

A nucleotide triplet within mRNA that signals the termination of translation.