Chapter 11 – The Expression of Genetic Information via Genes II: Non-coding RNAs

These flashcards cover key concepts related to non-coding RNAs and their roles in various biological processes, as discussed in Chapter 11 of the lecture notes.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)

RNA molecules that do not encode polypeptides and perform diverse functions in cells.

Ribozyme

An RNA molecule with catalytic function.

TERC (telomerase RNA component)

An ncRNA that plays a key role in telomere replication and elongation.

HOTAIR

An ncRNA that regulates transcription by guiding protein complexes to target genes through chromatin modification.

Decoy

An ncRNA that recognizes and sequesters other ncRNAs, preventing their function.

Signal Recognition Particle (SRP)

An RNA-protein complex that directs proteins to their proper cellular locations.

RNA interference (RNAi)

A biological process in which non-coding RNAs inhibit gene expression or translation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs)

Short ncRNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to complementary mRNA targets.

Small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs)

Exogenous ncRNAs that are complementary to their target mRNA and play roles in gene silencing.

CRISPR-Cas system

A defense mechanism in bacteria that uses ncRNA to target and cleave foreign genetic material from bacteriophages.