Chapter 05 - Genes to Genomes

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to the genetics and molecular biology introduced in Chapter 05, including definitions of terms and fundamental processes in gene expression.

Central Dogma

The principle stating that genetic information is encoded in DNA, transcribed into RNA, and translated into proteins, with information not transferred from protein back to nucleic acids.

Gene

A unit of inheritance that occupies a specific location in the genome and has specific effects on the phenotype, can mutate into various forms (alleles), and can recombine with similar units.

Allele

Different versions or forms of a gene that exist at the same locus on homologous chromosomes.

Intergenic Regions

DNA sequences that are not part of a gene and serve to link one gene to another.

Junk DNA

Non-functional DNA that does not influence the phenotype, which makes up a large percentage of eukaryotic genomes.

Functional DNA Sequences

DNA sequences that have a role in the organism and can be categorized into those acting directly, transcribed into non-coding RNA, or coding for polypeptides.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

RNA that is a key component of ribosomes, which synthesizes proteins in cells.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Functional RNA that transports amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Small Nuclear RNA (snRNA)

RNA that forms complexes that process primary mRNA into mature mRNA.

MicroRNA (miRNA)

Short RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by interfering with mRNA function.

Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)

Double-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and post-transcriptional gene silencing.

Piwi-Interacting RNA (piRNA)

Single-stranded RNA that interacts with Piwi proteins to regulate transposable elements and gene silencing.

Polycistronic Operon

A prokaryotic gene structure containing multiple coding sequences under a single promoter.

Cis-Regulatory Elements

DNA sequences located near a gene that regulate its transcription.

Trans-Acting Factors

Proteins or non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of target genes, often located far from the gene they regulate.