Study Guide: Protein Synthesis (Transcription & Translation)

Central Dogma

The process that describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to Protein.

Transcription

The process of converting genetic information from DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).

Translation

The process of converting mRNA sequences into a chain of amino acids, forming proteins.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that binds to the promoter region of DNA and unwinds the double helix during transcription.

Promoter

The region of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

5' Cap

A modified guanine added to the 5' end of mRNA for stability and ribosome binding.

Poly-A Tail

A string of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA for protection.

Introns

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

Exons

Coding regions of RNA that are joined together to form mature mRNA.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal.

AUG

The start codon that signals the beginning of translation.

Stop Codons

UAA, UAG, and UGA; they signal the termination of translation.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change protein function.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that changes one amino acid in a protein, potentially altering its function.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that creates a premature stop codon, leading to incomplete proteins.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertion or deletion that shifts the reading frame, disrupting the entire sequence.