The Genetic Code and Translation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the genetic code and the process of translation, important for understanding protein synthesis.

Genetic Code

A set of rules that dictates how sequences of nucleotide triplets (codons) correspond to amino acids.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, a type of RNA that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, an adapter molecule that helps translate mRNA sequences into amino acids during protein synthesis.

Ribosome

A molecular machine that synthesizes proteins by translating mRNA into polypeptide chains.

Start Codon

The specific codon (AUG) that signals the start of translation.

Stop Codon

Codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) that signal the termination of translation.

Intron

Non-coding sequences in a gene that are removed during mRNA processing.

Exon

Coding sequences in a gene that are retained in mRNA after introns are removed.

5’ Cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA to protect it from degradation and assist in translation.

Poly A Tail

A sequence of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA that helps stabilize the mRNA and regulate its translation.

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins, encoded by codons in the mRNA sequence.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase

Enzyme that attaches the appropriate amino acid to its corresponding tRNA.

Redundancy of the Genetic Code

The phenomenon where multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

Wobble Base Pairing

A form of flexible pairing at the third position of a codon which allows tRNAs to recognize more than one codon.

Peptidyl Transferase

An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids in the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Translation Initiation Complex

A molecular assembly consisting of mRNA, the initiator tRNA, and ribosomal subunits that facilitate the start of translation.

A Site

Aminoacyl-tRNA site in the ribosome where the charged tRNA binds.

P Site

Peptidyl-tRNA site in the ribosome where the tRNA holding the growing polypeptide chain is located.

E Site

Exit site in the ribosome through which uncharged tRNA exits after the amino acid has been transferred.