Topic 7 - Gene to protein

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to DNA, RNA, gene expression, transcription, and translation, based on lecture notes.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Contains the instructions for building protein; made of nucleotides.

Nucleotides

The basic building blocks of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, sugar, and nitrogenous base.

Phosphate group

A component of a nucleotide.

Sugar (in nucleotides)

A component of a nucleotide (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA).

Nitrogenous base

A component of a nucleotide, determining its identity (Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil).

Cytosine (C)

A nitrogenous base found in both DNA and RNA.

Thymine (T)

A nitrogenous base found only in DNA.

Guanine (G)

A nitrogenous base found in both DNA and RNA.

Adenine (A)

A nitrogenous base found in both DNA and RNA.

Uracil (U)

A nitrogenous base found only in RNA.

Deoxyribose

The pentose sugar found in DNA nucleotides.

Ribose

The pentose sugar found in RNA nucleotides.

Double stranded (DNA)

Refers to DNA's structure as two antiparallel polynucleotide strands.

Single stranded (RNA)

Refers to RNA's structure, typically a single polynucleotide strand.

Hydrogen Bonds

Bonds that hold complementary nitrogenous bases together (A-T, G-C) in a DNA double helix.

Complementary Base Pairing

The rule that Adenine pairs with Thymine (or Uracil in RNA) and Guanine pairs with Cytosine.

Antiparallel DNA Strands

The orientation of the two DNA strands in a double helix, running in opposite 5' to 3' directions.

Double Helix

The twisted ladder-like structural shape of a DNA molecule.

Histone proteins

Proteins that DNA wraps around to form nucleosomes, aiding in DNA organization within chromosomes.

Nucleosomes

Structures formed by DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins (histones) that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Chromosome

Highly condensed and coiled structure of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus, containing genetic information.

Nucleus

The organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material (DNA).

Nucleoid

The region in prokaryotic cells where the genetic material (folded chromosome) is located.

Gene expression

The process of making a protein by reading a gene, involving two steps: transcription and translation.

Transcription

The first step of gene expression where DNA is unzipped and copied onto an RNA molecule (mRNA).

Translation

The second step of gene expression where ribosomes use mRNA as instructions to build a protein.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

An RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA (in the nucleus) to the ribosomes (in the cytoplasm) for protein synthesis.

Ribosome

Cellular machinery made of protein and RNA that makes proteins by reading mRNA and assembling amino acids.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, brought to the ribosome by tRNA during translation.

tRNA (transfer RNA)

An RNA molecule that brings specific amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching them to codons on the mRNA.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that attaches to and unwinds DNA, adding complementary nucleotides to form an RNA molecule during transcription.

Template strand (DNA)

The DNA strand that serves as the pattern for RNA synthesis during transcription.

Termination sequence

A specific sequence in DNA that signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription and release the RNA molecule.

Genetic code

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (mRNA sequences) is translated into proteins (amino acid sequences).

Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for one specific amino acid or a start/stop signal.

AUG

The start codon in mRNA, which codes for the amino acid Methionine and initiates translation.

Start codon

A specific codon (AUG) that initiates translation.

Stop codons

Codons that signal the termination of protein synthesis.

Polypeptide chain

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, which folds into a functional protein.

Protein

A functional molecule composed of one or more polypeptide chains folded into a specific three-dimensional structure.

Anticodon

A three-nucleotide sequence on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to a specific codon on an mRNA molecule.

Peptide bond

The chemical bond that links amino acids together in a polypeptide chain.