Protein Synthesis and Ribosome Function

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to protein synthesis and the role of ribosomes.

Ribosome

A cellular structure that acts as the site for protein synthesis.

Translation

The process by which mRNA is decoded by ribosomes to synthesize proteins.

Codon

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

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries the genetic information copied from DNA to the ribosome.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, specified by codons in mRNA.

Valine

An amino acid represented by the codons GUA, GUC, GUG, and GUU.

Stop Codon

Codons that signal the termination of protein synthesis.

Start Codon

The first codon of a mRNA transcript that is recognized by the ribosome; usually AUG.

GAA

The codon that codes for the amino acid Glutamic acid.

AAA

The codon that codes for the amino acid Lysine.