translation and transcription

DNA

A double-stranded molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living organisms.

RNA

A single-stranded molecule involved in the synthesis of proteins, carrying instructions from DNA.

Proteins

Large, complex molecules made up of amino acids that perform various functions in the body.

Gene

A segment of DNA that encodes a specific protein or functional RNA.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, linked together by peptide bonds.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of decoding mRNA to synthesize a polypeptide chain (protein) at the ribosome.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; transports specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; a component of ribosomes that facilitates the translation process.

Alternative Splicing

A process that allows a single gene to produce multiple proteins by varying the way RNA is spliced.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Point Mutation

A change in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence that may affect protein synthesis.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides that alters the reading frame of the gene.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that regulate the transcription of genes by binding to specific DNA sequences.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in a different amino acid being incorporated into a protein.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that creates a premature stop codon in the protein sequence.

Genetic Code Table

A table that correlates each codon in mRNA with the corresponding amino acid.

Differential Gene Expression

The process by which cells express different sets of genes to produce specific proteins.