Lecture 16 Central Dogma III: Transcription and Translation Initiation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to transcription and translation as outlined in the lecture notes.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

mRNA Processing

The modification of mRNA after transcription which includes capping, splicing, and polyadenylation to create mature mRNA.

Preinitiation Complex (PIC)

A complex formed by the assembly of transcription factors and RNA polymerase II before the start of transcription.

TATA box

A DNA sequence that indicates where a genetic sequence can be read and decoded; crucial for transcription initiation.

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)

An enzyme responsible for transcribing mRNA in eukaryotes.

Spliceosome

A large RNA-protein complex that removes introns and joins exons during mRNA processing.

Alternative Splicing

A process that allows a single gene to produce multiple mRNA variants, leading to different protein isoforms.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

tRNA (transfer RNA)

A molecule that decodes mRNA sequences into corresponding amino acids during protein synthesis.

Svedberg unit (S)

A unit used to measure the sedimentation rate of particles in a centrifuge, which reflects their size.

Genetic code

The set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA and RNA corresponds to the sequence of amino acids in proteins.

Post-transcriptional modification

Changes made to RNA after transcription, including the addition of a 5' cap, splicing, and 3' poly-A tail.

General Transcription Factors (GTFs)

Proteins that help initiate the process of transcription by binding to the promoter region.

Ribosome

A cellular structure that synthesizes proteins by translating the genetic code in mRNA.