Cell Division and Protein Synthesis Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of key vocabulary terms and definitions covering mitosis, cell division, transcription, and translation based on the lecture transcript.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that constructs 2 identical DNA molecules.

$\text{G}_1$ Phase

The phase characterized by cell growth and protein synthesis to prepare for cell division.

Prophase

The mitotic phase where chromosomes condense, a centromere joins 2 sister chromatids, centrosomes produce microfilaments creating the mitotic spindle, the nuclear membrane fragments, and chromosomes attach to the mitotic spindle at the centromere.

Metaphase

The mitotic phase where the mitotic spindle aligns all of the chromosomes on the metaphase plate (equator).

Anaphase

The mitotic phase where sister chromatids separate from the centromere to become new chromosomes, which move toward the poles along the microfilaments.

Telophase

The mitotic phase that begins when chromosomes reach their respective pole, during which the nuclear membrane reforms and the mitotic spindle disappears.

Cytokinesis

The cell division process where actin myofilaments contract and pinch the cell along the cleavage furrow, producing 2 identical daughter cells.

DNA

The blueprint for the production of all proteins.

Gene

A segment of the DNA that will serve as the blueprint for one protein.

Triplet

A sequence of 3 nucleotides on the DNA that will code for a particular amino acid.

Transcription

The first major process of protein synthesis, which occurs inside the nucleus.

Initiation (Transcription)

Step 1 of transcription where the enzyme RNA Polymerase separates a small portion of the DNA.

Elongation (Transcription)

Step 2 of transcription where complementary RNA nucleotides are created based on the sequence of the DNA.

Termination (Transcription)

Step 3 of transcription where a termination signal is detected, causing the mRNA strand to separate from the DNA completely while leaving the DNA unchanged.

Translation

The process of protein synthesis that occurs in ribosomes on the rough ER.

Codon

One 3 nucleotide sequence on mRNA.

Anticodon

The complementary 3 nucleotide sequence for tRNA.

A Site

The location on the ribosome where mRNA attaches, the mRNA codon is read, and it attaches to the complementary tRNA anticodon (Step 1 of translation).

P Site

The location on the ribosome where the mRNA codon and tRNA anticodon move, and the amino acid attached to the tRNA anticodon is released and added to the polypeptide chain (Step 2 of translation).

E Site

The location on the ribosome where the tRNA, no longer carrying an amino acid, is released from the mRNA (Step 3 of translation).