Transcription and Translation Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts related to transcription and translation processes in molecular biology.

Nucleotide

The monomer unit of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Five Prime End

The end of a nucleic acid strand that has a phosphate group attached to the fifth carbon of the sugar.

Three Prime End

The end of a nucleic acid strand that has a hydroxyl group attached to the third carbon of the sugar.

Template Strand

The strand of DNA that serves as a template for RNA synthesis during transcription.

Coding Strand

The strand of DNA whose sequence corresponds to the sequence of the RNA produced during transcription.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a protein from an mRNA template.

Promoter

A specific DNA sequence that marks the beginning of a gene and is recognized by RNA polymerase.

Exons

The coding regions of a gene that remain in the mRNA after splicing.

Introns

The non-coding regions of a gene that are removed during mRNA processing.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; a type of RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; a molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; a component of the ribosome that helps facilitate protein synthesis.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The framework for understanding the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Antiparallel Strands

The arrangement of two nucleic acid strands in opposite orientations.

Poly-A Tail

A sequence of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of an mRNA molecule to protect it from degradation.

5' Cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of pre-mRNA to protect it and assist in ribosome binding.

Stop Codon

A nucleotide triplet within mRNA that signals the termination of protein synthesis.

Start Codon

The first codon of mRNA that is translated to initiate protein synthesis, typically AUG.

RNA Polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes RNA by following a strand of DNA during transcription.