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What is transcription?
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.
What enzyme is responsible for building mRNA?
RNA polymerase is the enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA during transcription.
What are the key differences between DNA and RNA?
DNA is double-stranded, contains deoxyribose sugar, and uses thymine; RNA is single-stranded, contains ribose sugar, and uses uracil.
How is a sequence of DNA transcribed into mRNA?
During transcription, RNA polymerase reads the DNA template strand and assembles a complementary mRNA strand.
What is splicing?
Splicing is the process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and joining exons together to form mature mRNA.
What are the benefits of splicing?
Splicing allows for the production of multiple protein variants from a single gene through alternative splicing.
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
What is transcription?
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.
What is translation?
Translation is the process of synthesizing a protein using the sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.
What is a codon?
A codon is a three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.
What is an anticodon?
An anticodon is a three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that corresponds to a codon on mRNA.
What is mRNA?
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of RNA that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.
What is tRNA?
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA that helps decode mRNA sequences into proteins by delivering the appropriate amino acids.
What is rRNA?
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a component of ribosomes that helps facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins.
What is a point mutation?
A point mutation is a change in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.
What is a nonsense mutation?
A nonsense mutation is a point mutation that creates a premature stop codon in the protein sequence.
What is a substitution mutation?
A substitution mutation is a type of point mutation where one nucleotide is replaced with another.
What is a frameshift mutation?
A frameshift mutation occurs when nucleotides are inserted or deleted from the DNA sequence, altering the reading frame.
What are plasmids?
Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA.
What is a transcription bubble?
A transcription bubble is the region of unwound DNA that forms during the process of transcription.
What is the template strand?
The template strand is the DNA strand that is used by RNA polymerase to synthesize mRNA.
What is the non-template strand?
The non-template strand, also known as the coding strand, is the DNA strand that has the same sequence as the mRNA, except for uracil instead of thymine.
What is a methyl cap?
A methyl cap is a modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA that protects it and helps in ribosome attachment.
What is a poly-A tail?
A poly-A tail is a string of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA that aids in stability and export from the nucleus.
What are exons?
Exons are the coding segments of a gene that are retained in the mRNA after splicing.
What are introns?
Introns are non-coding segments of a gene that are removed from the pre-mRNA during splicing.
What is splicing?
Splicing is the process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and joining exons together to form mature mRNA.
What is a ribosome?
A ribosome is a cellular structure that synthesizes proteins by translating mRNA into polypeptide chains.
What is a polysome?
A polysome is a complex formed by multiple ribosomes translating a single mRNA molecule simultaneously.
What is an operon?
An operon is a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, functioning together in gene regulation.
What is an inducer?
An inducer is a molecule that initiates gene expression by removing repressors from the operator site.
What is an inhibitor?
An inhibitor is a molecule that prevents gene expression by binding to an operator or a repressor.
What is a promotor?
A promotor is a DNA sequence that initiates transcription of a gene by providing a binding site for RNA polymerase.
What is an operator?
An operator is a segment of DNA that a repressor binds to, inhibiting transcription.
What is a repressor?
A repressor is a protein that binds to the operator and prevents transcription of certain genes.
What are the types of RNA used in protein synthesis?
In addition to mRNA, rRNA (ribosomal RNA) forms the core of ribosome's structure and function, while tRNA (transfer RNA) carries amino acids to the ribosome for translation.
Where does transcription take place?
Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
Why must each codon consist of three nucleotide letters?
Each codon must consist of three nucleotides to specify one of the 20 amino acids, allowing for 64 possible combinations.
What are codons?
Codons are three-nucleotide sequences on mRNA that determine which amino acid will be added during protein synthesis.
How are codons used?
Codons are used to specify amino acids during translation according to the genetic code, which can be referenced using a codon chart.
What are anticodons?
Anticodons are three-nucleotide sequences on tRNA that complement codons on mRNA.
How do anticodons pair with codons?
Anticodons pair with codons through complementary base pairing to ensure the correct amino acid is incorporated into the protein.
What is the start codon?
The start codon (AUG) is the first codon in mRNA that begins the translation process and codes for methionine.
What are the steps of translation?
Translation involves initiation at the start codon, elongation where tRNA brings amino acids to the A site, transfers to the P site for bonding, and exits at the E site, forming a polypeptide chain.
What are stop codons?
Stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) signal the end of translation, terminating the protein synthesis process.
Why do cells turn genes on or off?
Cells turn genes on or off to regulate metabolic processes, respond to environmental changes, and control development and differentiation.
What is positive control in gene regulation?
Positive control involves activator proteins that enhance the expression of specific genes.
What is negative control in gene regulation?
Negative control involves repressor proteins that inhibit gene expression by binding to the operator.
What is an example of non-coding DNA?
Introns are segments of DNA that do not code for proteins and are removed during mRNA processing.
What are three possible effects of a mutation?
Silent mutation (no change in amino acid), 2) Missense mutation (change in one amino acid), 3) Nonsense mutation (premature stop codon).
How does a virus replicate?
A virus replicates by entering a host cell and using the cell's machinery to produce its proteins and replicate its genetic material.
How can a virus cause cancer?
A virus can integrate its genetic material into the host cell's DNA, disrupting normal cell regulation and leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
What is the purpose of reverse transcriptase in retroviruses?
Reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into DNA, which can integrate into the host genome for replication.
What is the Central Dogma of Biology?
The Central Dogma of Biology describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
How do protein synthesis, genetics, and evolution work together?
Protein synthesis expresses genes that provide traits, which can be selected for or against through natural selection, resulting in evolution and diversity of organisms.
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