Gene Expression: From Transcription to Translation

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to gene expression, transcription, translation, and RNA processing.

Gene Expression

The process by which genetic information is converted into functional products, such as proteins.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins based on the sequence of codons in mRNA.

Promoter

A DNA sequence that signals the start of a gene, where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Elongation

The phase of transcription during which RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA strands.

Intron

Non-coding regions of a gene that must be removed from the pre-mRNA during processing.

Exon

Coding regions of a gene that are retained in the mature mRNA after splicing.

Spliceosome

A complex of proteins and RNA that facilitates the splicing of introns from pre-mRNA.

Central Dogma

The framework for understanding the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

RNA Polymerase II

An enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA in eukaryotic cells.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Alternative Splicing

A process by which different combinations of exons are joined together to produce multiple mRNA variants from a single gene.

Ribozymes

Catalytic RNA molecules that can perform enzymatic functions, such as splicing RNA.

Polyadenylation

The addition of a poly-A tail to the 3' end of eukaryotic mRNA.

5' Cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of eukaryotic mRNA, critical for stability and translation.

Nucleus

The cellular organelle where eukaryotic transcription occurs.

Base Pairing

The hydrogen bonding between nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA, following the rules of A-T (or A-U in RNA) and C-G.

Termination Signal

A sequence of nucleotides that marks the end of transcription and signals RNA polymerase to stop synthesizing RNA.

Metabolic Pathway

A series of chemical reactions in a cell that leads to the synthesis or degradation of a molecule.

Alkaptonuria

A genetic disorder caused by a deficiency in an enzyme involved in the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine.