M5(2): Central Dogma, Transcription, and Translation

Central Dogma

This basic explanation is “DNA makes RNA makes Proteins”

Central Dogma

Describes the precise, unidirectional flow of genetic information within a cell. This flow is the fundamental mechanism by which a cell's genetic blueprint is used to create a functional organism.

DNA, RNA, and Proteins

Are the three key players in the central dogma

Nucleic Acids which are made of Nucleotides 

What are DNA and RNA made of?

DNA makes RNA makes Proteins

How do you sum up the central dogma

Amino Acids

What are proteins made of?

DNA

The informration start at the most basic level, which is stored as?

Replication 

DNA can then be restored into DNA again when it copies itself in the process called?

DNA is copied into RNA

Briefly describe the process of transcription

Transcription

The process where DNA is copied into RNA

Information from the RNA is used to synthesize Proteins

Briefly describe the process of Translation

Translation 

It is when genetic information from the RNA is used to synthesize Proteins

Transcription

It is the process where mRNA is produced using information from the DNA

Initiation, Elongation, Termination

Are the three steps to transcription

Initiation

RNA polymerase binds to a specific sequence within the gene called a promoter region. It then prys into two. The template strand or antisense is read as the reference to create mRNA

RNA polymarase

It is the one that binds to the promoter region, prys the gene into two, and the one who synthesizes nucleotides

Promoter Region

This is where the RNA polymerase binds to during initiation

Elongation

The RNA polymerase reads the antisense and starts adding nucleotides to the growing mRNA strand reading from 3’ to 5’ and generating mRNA from 5’ to 3’

Antisense

The segment of DNA read by the RNA polymerase

RNA polymerase 

During elongation, it is responsible for synthesizing/adding nucleotides to the growing mRNA strand. 

3’ to 5’

How does the RNA polymerase read the antisense?

5’ to 3’

How does the RNA polymerase generate nucleotides?

Termination

RNA polymerase along with the newly formed mRNA detaches from the gene, the gene then zips itself back together.

Pre-mRNA

What is product at the end of termination 

Introns and Exons

What two features that a pre-mRNA contain

Introns

Are long sequences of nucleotides that do not code for proteins.

Introns

These interrupt the sequence of genes, hence their removal

RNA Splicing 

This is the process where introns from pre-mRNA are removed. 

Exons

Are short nucleotide sequences that code for proteins

Exons remain while introns are removed

What happens during RNA splicing?

Translation

The mRNA leaves the nucleus in search of a ribosome to produce proteins.

Ribosomes 

Site where translation occurs

mRNA

Serves as the code for a particular protein during translation

Codon

A set of three base nucleotides in an mRNA

Codon

These will code for a specific anticodon which will be carried out by a specific tRNA

Anticodon 

Are carried by specific tRNA which are covalently bonded to them

64

How many possible codons are there?

AUG

Is also known as the start codon

UAA

Is one of three stop codons

Guanine 

Nucleotide base paring for Cytosine

Thymine (DNA) or Uracil (RNA)

Nucleotide base paring for Adenine

Cytosine

Nucleotide bae paring for Guanine