The Genetic Code and Translation

A collection of flashcards to help review key terms and concepts related to the genetic code and translation.

3’ UTR

Untranslated region of mRNA after the stop codon.

5’ UTR

Untranslated region of mRNA before the start codon.

Amino terminus

The end of a polypeptide chain that has a free amino group.

Carboxyl terminus

The end of a polypeptide chain that has a free carboxyl group.

Degeneracy of the genetic code

Multiple codons can encode for the same amino acid.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that complements a codon in mRNA.

A site

Site in the ribosome where the aminoacyl-tRNA enters during translation.

P site

Site in the ribosome where the growing polypeptide chain is held.

E site

Site in the ribosome where discharged tRNA exits.

Translation initiation

The process of assembling ribosomes on mRNA to begin protein synthesis.

Shine-Dalgarno sequence

A ribosomal binding site in bacterial mRNA for translation initiation.

Kozak sequence

Sequence surrounding the start codon in eukaryotic mRNA that aids in translation initiation.

Peptide bond

The bond formed between amino acids in a protein, linking their carboxyl and amino groups.

R group

The variable side chain attached to the alpha carbon of an amino acid that determines its properties.

Polypeptide

A polymer of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, forming a protein.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Initiation factor

Proteins that facilitate the initiation step of translation.

Release factor

Protein that recognizes stop codons during translation termination.