Unit 5 Protein Synthesis PPT

Central Dogma

The central dogma of biology describes the flow of genetic information: DNA -> RNA -> Protein.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus.

Translation

The process where mRNA is decoded by a ribosome to synthesize a protein.

DNA vs RNA

DNA is double stranded with deoxyribose sugar, while RNA is single stranded with ribose sugar.

Heterochromatin

A form of DNA that is tightly wound around nucleosomes, making it inactive and inaccessible.

Euchromatin

A form of DNA that is loosely packed, allowing for active gene transcription.

RNA Polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes mRNA from the template DNA strand during transcription.

Codons

Three-nucleotide sequences on mRNA that code for specific amino acids.

Point mutation

A mutation characterized by a change in a single base pair in DNA.

Frameshift mutation

A mutation where nucleotides are inserted or deleted, shifting the reading frame of the codons.

Silent mutation

A type of point mutation that changes a nucleotide but does not change the amino acid sequence.

Missense mutation

A type of point mutation that results in a single amino acid change in a protein.

Nonsense mutation

A mutation that creates a premature stop codon, leading to a truncated protein.

Mutagens

External factors that can cause changes to the DNA sequence, such as UV rays and X-rays.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder caused by a frameshift mutation, leading to thick mucus in the lungs.

Sickle Cell Anemia

A genetic condition caused by a point mutation, affecting blood cell shape and function.

Ribosome

The cellular machinery where translation occurs, made primarily of rRNA.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome based on the codon-anticodon pairing.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Anticodon

A three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that is complementary to the mRNA codon.

Amino acid

Building blocks of proteins, coded for by codons on mRNA.

Peptide bond

The bond that links amino acids together in a protein chain during translation.

STOP codon

A nucleotide sequence in mRNA that signals the termination of protein synthesis.