The Central Dogma and Protein Synthesis

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the central dogma of molecular biology and protein synthesis.

Central Dogma

The process by which information in genes flows into proteins: DNA -> RNA -> Protein.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the carrier of genetic information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, intermediate between DNA and protein syntheses.

Protein Synthesis

The process of translating mRNA into an amino acid sequence to form proteins.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The synthesis of a polypeptide chain from mRNA using ribosomes.

Replication

The process of duplicating DNA before cell division.

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins, there are 20 different amino acids.

Peptide Bond

The bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Gene

A sequence of DNA that contains the information to produce a protein.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

The RNA product of transcription, which conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

Type of RNA that carries amino acids to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

rRNA (Ribosomal RNA)

A component of ribosomes, essential for protein synthesis.

Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Start Codon

The specific sequence (AUG) where translation begins.

Stop Codon

A codon that signals the end of translation.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells with a nucleus, where transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells without a nucleus; transcription and translation occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm.

Denaturation

The process where proteins lose their structure and function due to environmental factors.

Mutations

Changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA which can lead to changes in proteins.

Operons

Clusters of genes controlled together by a promoter and operator, commonly found in prokaryotes.

Lactose Operon

A classic example of an operon that controls the metabolism of lactose in E. coli.

Feedback Inhibition

A regulatory mechanism in which the end product of a process inhibits an earlier step.

Chromosomal Mutations

Alterations to the structure or number of chromosomes.

Point Mutations

Changes in a single nucleotide base pair in DNA.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in a protein.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that generates a premature stop codon, leading to truncated proteins.