Gene Expression: Translation

Flashcards covering key concepts of gene expression and translation processes.

α-carbon

The central carbon atom in an amino acid to which the amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and R group are attached.

peptidyl transferase

An enzyme that aids in the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids during translation.

primary structure

The specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

secondary structure

The folding and twisting of a polypeptide chain into shapes such as alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets.

tertiary structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide chain based on interactions among side chains.

quaternary structure

The structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains come together to form a functional protein.

codon

A three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal in protein synthesis.

anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to an mRNA codon.

aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

An enzyme that attaches the appropriate amino acid to its corresponding tRNA.

initiation factors

Proteins that facilitate the assembly of the translation initiation complex on the mRNA.

translational elongation

The stage of translation where amino acids are sequentially added to the growing polypeptide chain.

release factors

Proteins that recognize stop codons and promote the termination of translation.

endoplasmic reticulum

An organelle involved in protein synthesis and processing, where ribosomes may translate mRNA into proteins.

Signal recognition particle (SRP)

A protein-RNA complex that recognizes and targets specific protein to the endoplasmic reticulum.