Protein Synthesis and Biotechnology Flashcards

Flashcards for Protein Synthesis and Biotechnology

Central Dogma

DNA —> RNA —> Protein

RNA

A nucleic acid present in all living cells that is similar to DNA but has a ribose sugar and uses uracil instead of thymine.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; a type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes.

Uracil

A nitrogenous base found in RNA but not in DNA; pairs with adenine.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.

Promoters

Specific regions of DNA that signal the start of transcription.

Introns

Non-coding sections of an RNA transcript, or the DNA encoding it, that are spliced out before the RNA molecule is translated into a protein.

Exons

Coding regions of an RNA transcript, or the DNA encoding it, that remain after splicing.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule.

Translation

The process by which the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is used to construct a protein.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to a codon in mRNA.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product, usually a protein.

Mutations

Changes in the genetic material of a cell or virus.

Point Mutation

A mutation affecting only one or very few nucleotides in a gene sequence.

Substitution

A type of point mutation where one nucleotide is replaced by a different nucleotide.

Insertion

A type of frameshift mutation where one or more nucleotides are added to a gene sequence.

Deletion

A type of frameshift mutation where one or more nucleotides are removed from a gene sequence.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that alter the reading frame of the genetic code.

Chromosomal Mutation

A mutation involving a large segment of DNA; can involve changes in chromosome structure or number.

Duplication

A type of chromosomal mutation where a segment of a chromosome is repeated.

Inversion

A type of chromosomal mutation where a segment of a chromosome is reversed end to end.

Translocation

A type of chromosomal mutation where a segment of a chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome.

Mutagens

Chemical or physical agents that cause mutations.

Polyploidy

A condition in which an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.

Gel Electrophoresis

A laboratory method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to size and charge.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been formed artificially by combining DNA from different sources.

Plasmids

Small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria and some other microscopic organisms.

Genetic Marker

A gene or DNA sequence with a known location on a chromosome that can be used to identify individuals or species.

Transgenic

An organism that contains genetic material into which DNA from an unrelated organism has been artificially introduced.

Clone

An organism or cell produced asexually from one ancestor or stock, to which they are genetically identical.

Gene Therapy

The transplantation of normal genes into cells in place of missing or defective ones in order to correct genetic disorders.

Nondisjunction

The failure of one or more pairs of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate normally during nuclear division, usually resulting in an abnormal distribution of chromosomes in the daughter nuclei.