Protein Synthesis and Techniques

The flashcards cover key terms and concepts associated with Protein Synthesis and Techniques as detailed in the lecture notes.

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic information.

RNA

The molecule that helps in the synthesis of proteins.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; the RNA that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; the RNA that transfers amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; a component of ribosomes that plays a role in protein synthesis.

Protein Synthesis

The process by which cells produce proteins based on genetic information.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of translating the mRNA sequence into a sequence of amino acids.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that pairs with a codon on mRNA.

Genetic Code

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins.

Post-Translational Modification

Chemical changes to a protein after it has been synthesized to alter its function.

Polysomes

Clusters of ribosomes that are translating the same mRNA strand simultaneously.

Ribosome

The molecular machine responsible for protein synthesis by translating mRNA.

N-terminus

The start of a protein or polypeptide chain; the end with a free amino group.

C-terminus

The end of a protein or polypeptide chain; the end with a free carboxyl group.

Degenerate Code

The redundancy in the genetic code where multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

Wobble Pairing

The flexibility in base pairing at the third position of a codon-anticodon interaction.

Missense Codons

Codons that code for a different amino acid due to a mutation.

Nonsense Codons

Codons that signal for the termination of protein synthesis.

Start Codon

The specific codon (AUG) that signals the start of translation.

Stop Codons

Codons that signal the end of protein synthesis.

Hydrophobic Amino Acids

Amino acids that are non-polar and do not mix well with water.

Hydrophilic Amino Acids

Amino acids that are polar and interact well with water.

Ribozyme

An RNA molecule capable of acting as an enzyme.

Translation Factors

Proteins that assist in the process of translation.

Elongation

The stage in protein synthesis where amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain.

Termination

The process that ends translation when a stop codon is encountered.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation that causes a shift in the reading frame of the genetic message.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not result in a change to the amino acid sequence.

Antibiotics

Substances that inhibit bacterial growth, often by targeting protein synthesis.

Diptheria Toxin

A toxin that inhibits protein synthesis by interfering with ribosomal function.

CRISPR

A genome editing technology that allows for precise alterations to DNA.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies or manipulates genes to treat diseases.

Mass Spectrometry

An analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.

Gel Electrophoresis

A technique for separating nucleic acids or proteins based on size.

Southern Blotting

A method used to detect specific DNA sequences.

Northern Blotting

A technique used to study RNA; similar to southern blotting but for RNA.

Western Blotting

A method for detecting specific proteins in a sample.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase

An enzyme that attaches the correct amino acid to its corresponding tRNA.

Peptide Bond

The bond that links amino acids together in a protein.

Hydrogen Bonds in Proteins

Bonds that stabilize the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins.

Initiation Complex

The complex formed at the start of translation, involving mRNA, ribosome, and tRNA.

Initiation Factors

Proteins that facilitate the formation of the initiation complex.

Elongation Factors (EFs)

Proteins that assist during the elongation phase of protein synthesis.

Release Factors (RFs)

Proteins that bind to the stop codon during termination of translation.

Shine-Dalgarno Sequence

A ribosomal binding site in prokaryotic mRNA.

Eukaryotic Ribosome

The ribosome found in eukaryotic cells, composed of 80S subunits.

Prokaryotic Ribosome

The ribosome found in prokaryotic cells, composed of 70S subunits.

Transgenic Animals

Animals that have had their genomes modified to contain genes from other species.

Polypeptide Chain

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Proteomics

The large-scale study of proteins, particularly their functions and structures.

Signal Sequence

A short peptide chain that directs the transport of a protein.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that help regulate the transcription of genes.

Anticodon Loop

The part of tRNA that contains the anticodon.

Covalent Bonds

Strong bonds formed when atoms share electrons.

Hydrophobic Interaction

Interactions between non-polar molecules in an aqueous environment.

Electrophoresis Matrix

A gel-like medium used in electrophoresis to separate molecules.

Cloning Vector

A DNA molecule that can carry foreign DNA into a host cell.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A method used to amplify a specific DNA segment.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

A biological process where RNA molecules inhibit gene expression.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and base.

Gene Cloning

The process of making copies of a specific gene.

Hybridization

The process of combining complementary strands of DNA or RNA.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.

Genome Editing

Techniques used to modify the DNA of an organism.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into specialized cell types.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product.

DNA Sequencing

The process of determining the precise order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell with a nucleus and organelles, enclosed by a membrane.

Prokaryotic Cell

A simple, unicellular organism without a nucleus.

Transcription Unit

A segment of DNA that is transcribed into RNA.

Retrovirus

A virus that transcribes its RNA into DNA inside a host cell.

Protein Folding

The physical process by which a polypeptide folds into its characteristic structure.

Hydrophobic Core

The interior of a folded protein that is shielded from water.

Cistron

A segment of DNA or RNA that codes for a specific protein.

Plasmid

A small circular DNA molecule that is separate from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently.

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA)

A technique used to study protein-DNA interactions.

Biotechnology

The use of living systems or organisms to develop or make products.

Clinical Trials

Research studies performed on people to evaluate the effectiveness of a medical strategy, treatment, or device.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.

Transcriptional Control

The regulation of gene expression at the transcription level.

Nuclear Transport

The process of transporting molecules into and out of the nucleus.

Lipidation

The post-translational modification of proteins by the addition of lipid groups.