Nucleic Acid Structure and Protein Synthesis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to nucleic acids and protein synthesis.

Nucleotides

Large molecules used in the storage and interpretation of the genetic code.

DNA

Stores the genetic code and contains genes.

RNA

Used to interpret the genetic code and is single stranded.

Transcription

The process of copying a section of DNA into a short single-stranded form called RNA.

Translation

The process of converting the nucleotide sequence of mRNA into an amino acid sequence for protein synthesis.

Gene

A sequence of nucleotides that codes for a specific protein.

Codon

Every three nucleotides on the mRNA that codes for one amino acid.

Peptide bond

The bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Mutagen

An agent that causes changes in DNA.

Intron

Non-coding regions of RNA that are removed during RNA splicing.

Exon

Coding regions of RNA that are retained after RNA splicing.

DNA polymerase

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during replication.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Helicase

The enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during replication.

Point mutation

A mutation affecting a single nucleotide.

Frameshift mutation

A mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, shifting the reading frame of the codons.