Gene Expression and Viral Mechanisms

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to gene expression, viral mechanisms, and molecular biology.

Prokaryotic Cell

Cell type that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

Eukaryotic Cell

Cell type that has a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

Gene Expression

Process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, often a protein.

Transfection

Introduction of nucleic acids into cells to study gene function and regulation.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

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

Polypeptide

Chain of amino acids that form proteins.

Transcription

Process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

Process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Ribosome

Molecular machine that facilitates the translation of mRNA into proteins.

Viral RNA

RNA that is part of a virus's genetic material used for replication and protein synthesis.

Genome Size

Total number of base pairs in an organism's DNA.

Viroid

Small, circular RNA molecules that cause disease in plants.

Capsid Protein

Protein shell that encloses the viral genetic material.

Replication Enzyme

Protein that assists in DNA replication processes.

Central Dogma

The framework for understanding the transfer of sequence information between DNA, RNA, and proteins.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic material.

Cytoplasm

Fluid-like substance within the cell where cellular processes occur.

RNA Polymerase

Enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.

Promoter

DNA sequence that initiates transcription of a gene.

Enhancer

DNA sequence that can increase the transcription of genes.

TATA Box

A conserved DNA sequence found in promoters that is crucial for initiating transcription.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that regulate the transcription of genes by binding to nearby DNA.

Polyadenylation

The addition of a poly(A) tail to mRNA, facilitating its export from the nucleus and stability.

Ribosomal Binding Site (RBS)

Sequence on mRNA that is recognized by the ribosome during translation.

Codon

Triple nucleotide sequence that specifies a single amino acid.

Open Reading Frame (ORF)

Sequence of DNA that can be translated into a protein.

Cap-Dependent Translation

Type of translation initiation that requires a 5' cap structure on mRNA.

IRES (Internal Ribosome Entry Site)

Sequence allowing ribosomes to bind directly to mRNA without a cap for translation.

Leaky Scanning

Translation initiation that skips weak initiator codons in favor of stronger ones.

Ribosomal Frameshifting

When the ribosome shifts reading frames, resulting in a different protein being synthesized.

Translational Readthrough

Phenomenon where the ribosome ignores a stop codon and continues translating.

RNA Splicing

Process of removing introns and joining exons to form mature mRNA.

Eukaryotic Promoters

Regions of DNA that facilitate the recruitment of RNA polymerase II for transcription.

Monocistronic mRNA

Type of mRNA that encodes a single protein.

Polycistronic mRNA

Type of mRNA that encodes multiple proteins.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme that synthesizes DNA molecules from nucleotides.

Transcription Start Site (TSS)

Point at which transcription of a gene begins.

STOP Codon

Nucleotide triplet that signals the termination of protein synthesis.

Histone Proteins

Proteins that package and order the DNA into structural units called nucleosomes.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors

Proteins that assist in the initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)

Common reporter protein used to study gene expression.

Reporter Gene

Gene that encodes a detectable marker, used to study gene expression.

Cap Recognition

Initial step in translation where the ribosome recognizes the m7G cap on mRNA.

Nuclear Pore

Protein complexes in the nuclear envelope that regulate transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Kozak Sequence

Sequence surrounding the start codon in eukaryotic mRNA that promotes translation.

Viral Proteins

Proteins that are encoded by viral genomes and are required for the virus's life cycle.

Cellular Machinery

Components within a cell that facilitate biological processes such as transcription and translation.

mRNA Processing

The series of modifications made to mRNA to make it functional.

Transcription Termination

The point at which transcription of RNA is terminated.

Glycosylation

Post-translational modification that involves addition of sugars to a protein.

Protein Folding

Process by which a protein structure assumes its functional shape or conformation.

Genetic Engineering

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

Eukaryotic mRNA Characteristics

Capped, spliced, and polyadenylated; typically monocistronic.

Prokaryotic mRNA Characteristics

Usually polysistronic, lacks introns, and does not undergo extensive processing.

Fluorescence

Emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation.

Luminescence

Emission of light without the involvement of heat.

Enzymatic Activity

The capability of a specific enzyme to catalyze a reaction.

Viral RNA Polymerase

Enzyme used by viruses to replicate their RNA.

RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase

Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from an RNA template.