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Protein Synthesis
The process of reading the instructions in DNA to make a polypeptide.
Primary Structure (of a protein)
The amino acid sequence of a polypeptide.
Secondary Structure (of a protein)
Alpha helix or beta sheet formations within a polypeptide.
Tertiary Structure (of a protein)
The overall 3D structure of a polypeptide chain, bent and folded.
Quaternary Structure (of a protein)
The structure resulting from two or more polypeptide chains bound together.
Polypeptide
A chain of amino acids that can bind to others and fold into a protein.
Central Dogma of Genetics
DNA -> RNA -> protein (via transcription and translation).
Transcription
The process of copying DNA instructions into RNA.
Translation
The process of reading the instructions in mRNA to create a protein.
mRNA (messenger RNA)
Copies instructions in DNA and carries these to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
tRNA (transfer RNA)
Binds and carries specific amino acids to the ribosome.
rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
Along with proteins, it makes up the ribosome and helps catalyze the formation of peptide bonds.
RNA Polymerase
An enzyme that binds to DNA and unzips the gene to be copied during transcription.
TATA box
A DNA sequence that indicates where a genetic sequence can be read and decoded.
Introns
Non-coding regions of mRNA that are removed during RNA splicing.
Exons
Coding regions of mRNA that are spliced together after intron removal.
5' cap (G cap)
A modified guanine added to the 5' end of mRNA to facilitate ribosome binding.
Poly A tail
A sequence of 50-520 adenine bases added to the 3' end of mRNA to help it leave the nucleus.
Codon
A set of 3 nucleotides on the mRNA that codes for an amino acid.
Anticodon
A “complementary” set of 3 nucleotides on tRNA that binds to a codon on mRNA.
Genetic Code
The code of instructions for how to make proteins based on mRNA sequences.
Transcription factors
Regulatory proteins that control gene activity.
Repressors
Decrease transcription.
Activators
Increase transcription.
Epigenetics
The study of changes in gene expression that are heritable but do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.
Mutation
A change in a DNA sequence.