Lecture Notes Review: Protein Synthesis and Transcription

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes that cover topics including announcements, protein synthesis, transcription initiation, elongation, and the genetic code.

Cysteine

An amino acid that binds to mercury, used in lab tests for mercury reduction.

Transcription Initiation

The first step in transcription where RNA polymerase binds to the promoter.

Sigma Subunit

The σ subunit of prokaryotic RNA polymerase that recognizes promoter sequences.

Promoter

A specific DNA sequence that RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

TATA Box

A DNA sequence recognized by transcription factors in eukaryotes, crucial for transcription initiation.

Enhancer Sequences

DNA sequences that help attract RNA polymerase by recruiting activator proteins.

Strong Promoters

Regions that drive high levels of transcription activity.

Weak Promoters

Regions that allow lower levels of transcription.

Antisense Strand

The DNA strand used as a template for RNA synthesis.

Sense Strand

The DNA strand that has the same sequence as the RNA transcript, except for T and U differences.

Elongation in Prokaryotes

The process where RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA in the 5' to 3' direction.

Poly-A Tail

A sequence of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA for stability.

Splicing

The process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and reconnecting exons.

Alternative Splicing

A process allowing the production of multiple mRNA variants from a single gene.

Rho-Dependent Termination

A type of transcription termination that requires the Rho protein.

Rho-Independent Termination

A type of transcription termination that relies on specific DNA sequences.

Pre-mRNA Processing

The modifications that pre-mRNA undergoes before becoming mature mRNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Ribosome

The organelle that catalyzes the linking of amino acids to form proteins.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Start Codon

A specific codon (AUG) that signals the beginning of translation.

Stop Codons

Codons that signal the termination of polypeptide synthesis.

Degenerate Code

The characteristic of the genetic code such that multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

Universal Code

The concept that all organisms use the same genetic code for protein synthesis.

Reading Frame

The sequence of codons read during translation starting from the AUG start codon.

Nonsense Codons

Codons that do not code for any amino acid and signal the end of translation.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a protein from mRNA.

mRNA Transcript

The RNA copy of a gene that is transported to the ribosome for translation.

Transcriptional Complex

The assembly of transcription factors and RNA polymerase at the promoter region.

mRNA Processing

Modifications such as capping, poly-adenylation, and splicing that pre-mRNA undergoes within the nucleus.