Molecular Genetics, Protein Synthesis, and Enzymes

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing DNA structure, replication, protein synthesis (transcription and translation), protein folding, and enzyme kinetics from the lecture notes.

Complementary Base Pairing

The universal pairing rule of DNA nucleotides where adenine pairs with thymine ($A\text{-}T$) and cytosine pairs with guanine ($C\text{-}G$).

DNA Replication

The universal biological process that allows genetic information to be inherited, facilitated by complementary base-pairing and the breaking of weak bonds between strands of DNA.

Genotype

The specific genetic makeup or combination of alleles of an organism that gives rise to different phenotypes.

Phenotype

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism that arise from different genotypes.

Exons

Coding segments of DNA found in genes in eukaryotes that are both transcribed and translated to form a polypeptide.

Introns

Non-coding segments of DNA found in genes in eukaryotes that are transcribed, but not translated to form a polypeptide.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

An RNA molecule transcribed from DNA that carries genetic information to the ribosome to be translated into a polypeptide.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

An RNA molecule that carries specific amino acids and features an anticodon that pairs with corresponding mRNA codons during translation.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

A form of RNA that constitutes an essential structural and functional component of the ribosome involved in translation.

Template Strand

The specific strand of DNA that is transcribed by RNA polymerase during transcription to produce complementary RNA.

Coding Strand

The non-template gene strand of DNA whose sequence directly corresponds to the transcribed RNA sequence, differing only by containing thymine instead of uracil.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A triplet sequence of nucleotides located on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to a specific codon on an mRNA molecule.

Protein Three-Dimensional Shape

The specific folded spatial conformation of a polypeptide that is critical to determining its biological function.

Induced-Fit Model

A model of enzyme-substrate binding describing how the enzyme adjusts its conformation to specifically bind its substrate.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst with specific functions that is affected by temperature, pH, and the presence of inhibitors, and whose reaction rate depends on the concentrations of reactants and the enzyme.

Enzyme Inhibitors

Substances whose presence affects and reduces the specific catalytic function of an enzyme.