Genomes and Genes Flashcards

Flashcards for vocabulary review based on lecture notes.

Genome

Complete set of sequences in the genetic material of an organism, including nuclear and organelle DNA.

Gene

The basic unit of inheritance; a segment of DNA that codes for a protein.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, i.e., the particular set of genes (alleles) an organism possesses.

Phenotype

The actual physical properties of an organism, e.g., height, weight, hair color, etc.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Describes the flow of genetic information: DNA to RNA (transcription), and RNA to protein (translation).

Promoter

A DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds and initiates transcription.

Terminator

A DNA sequence that signals the end of transcription.

5' UTR

5' untranslated region; a region at the 5' end of mRNA that is not translated into protein.. involved in translation regulation

3' UTR

3' untranslated region; a region at the 3' end of mRNA that is not translated into protein; often contains regulatory elements that influence post-transcriptional gene expression.

Monocistronic

mRNA that codes for only one protein.

Polycistronic

mRNA that codes for multiple proteins; common in prokaryotes.

Intron

Non-coding DNA sequence within a gene that is removed by RNA splicing during the production of mature RNA.

Exon

Coding region of a gene that is present in the mature RNA molecule after splicing.

Allele

One of two or more versions of the same gene at a given locus.

Gene Locus

The specific location or position of a gene on a chromosome.

Wild Type Allele

An allele that encodes a functional protein.

Mutant Allele

An allele that encodes a non-functional protein or a protein with a modified function.

Null Allele

An allele that encodes a non-functional or no protein at all.

Base Substitution

A type of mutation where one base pair is replaced by another.

Base Deletion

A type of mutation where one or more base pairs are removed from the DNA sequence.

Base Insertion

A type of mutation where one or more base pairs are added to the DNA sequence.

Copy Number Variation (CNV)

A type of mutation where there are differences in the number of copies of a DNA sequence found in different individuals.

Indels

A type of mutation involving insertions or deletions of base pairs in the DNA sequence.

Start Codon

A specific codon (typically AUG) that signals the beginning of translation.

Stop Codon

A specific codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA) that signals the end of translation.

Open Reading Frame (ORF)

The part of a reading frame that has the potential to be translated into proteins

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a protein from an mRNA template.

Trans-acting

Proteins that bind to cis-acting DNA sequences to regulate gene transcription.

Cis-acting

DNA sequences in the promoter region where trans-acting proteins bind to regulate gene transcription.