Gene Expression, Transcription, and Translation Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on Gene Expression, Transcription, and Translation.

Gene

Sequence of DNA that codes for a protein.

Gene Expression

Using a gene to make a protein or RNA product.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

DNA -> RNA -> Protein

Transcription

An RNA copy of a gene is made from DNA.

Translation

The ribosome reads the RNA sequence and makes a chain of amino acids.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Carries DNA gene information to the ribosome.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Is part of the structure of ribosomes.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Brings amino acids to the ribosome.

Promoter Region

DNA sequence to which RNA Polymerase attaches (3' end of gene). Includes a TATA box (eukaryotes).

Transcription Initiation Complex

Proteins, RNA Poly II, and the DNA promoter all complex together during initiation.

Introns

Non-coding regions removed from the transcript during mRNA processing.

Exons

Useful pieces of DNA that code for proteins (are expressed).

Spliceosomes

Complex of proteins that clip out the introns.

Ribozymes

RNA molecules that function as enzymes and can splice mRNA.

Anticodon

Region of the tRNA sequence that is complementary to the mRNA codon.