Lecture 5: Expression of the Genome - Translation

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary from Lecture 5 on the expression of the genome concerning translation.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize polypeptides according to the code in an mRNA template.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; encodes the information required to translate a protein from genomic DNA.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; links codons in mRNA to the corresponding amino acids during protein synthesis.

Ribosome

A molecular machine that facilitates the interaction between tRNA and mRNA to synthesize proteins.

Kozak site

A nucleotide sequence that is essential for the initiation of translation in eukaryotic mRNAs.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase

An enzyme that attaches the appropriate amino acid to its tRNA.

Polypeptide chain

A continuous chain of amino acids that make up a protein.

Translation termination

The process by which translation ceases upon encountering a stop codon in the mRNA.

Post-translational modification

The chemical modification of a protein after its translation, affecting its function and localization.

Synonymous codons

Different codons that code for the same amino acid.

Reading frame mutation

A mutation caused by insertion or deletion of nucleotides that alters the reading frame of the mRNA.

Point mutation

A mutation that affects a single nucleotide, potentially changing the resulting amino acid.

Protein structure

The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a protein, defined by primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.

Signal transduction

The process by which a cell responds to signals from its environment, often involving post-translational modifications.

Polysome

A complex formed by multiple ribosomes translating a single mRNA strand simultaneously.