Transcription and Translation

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts and processes related to transcription and translation in molecular biology.

What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology?

The process by which DNA is transcribed to RNA, which is then translated to protein.

What is the role of mRNA?

mRNA carries the genetic message from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

What are the three stages of transcription?

Initiation, Elongation, and Termination.

What is the function of RNA polymerase during transcription?

RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA by adding nucleotides complementary to the DNA template.

What happens during transcription termination?

RNA polymerase reaches a terminator sequence and releases the newly synthesized mRNA.

What is a codon?

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

What are the stop codons in translation?

UAA, UAG, and UGA are nonsense codons that signal the end of translation.

What is the function of tRNA?

tRNA transports amino acids to the ribosome and has an anticodon that pairs with the codon on mRNA.

What is the difference between self-termination and enzyme-dependent termination in transcription?

Self-termination involves the RNA sequence folding back on itself to displace RNA polymerase, while enzyme-dependent termination requires a termination protein to force RNA polymerase off the DNA.

What occurs during the elongation phase of translation?

Ribosomes move along the mRNA, and amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain via peptide bonds.