protein synthesis

Transcription

The process by which messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized from a DNA template.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transcription process by binding to the DNA template.

Codon

A sequence of three consecutive nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three consecutive nucleotides in a tRNA molecule that is complementary to a codon in an mRNA.

Degeneracy

The feature of the genetic code where multiple codons code for the same amino acid, reducing the impact of mutations.

Universality

The principle that all organisms use the same codons and anticodons for the same amino acids.

Translation

The synthesis of polypeptides from mRNA in the cytoplasm, translating the base sequence into an amino acid sequence.

Post-transcriptional modification

The changes that mRNA undergoes after transcription, including capping, polyadenylation, and splicing.

Alternative splicing

The process by which different combinations of exons are spliced together, allowing one gene to code for multiple proteins.

Proteasome

A complex responsible for degrading and recycling misfolded or damaged proteins.

5' to 3' directionality

The direction in which RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA and ribosomes translate mRNA.

Peptide bond

The bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Mutations

Changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to altered proteins and potentially result in diseases such as sickle cell anemia.

Hydrogen bonding in transcription

The pairing of adenine (A) with uracil (U) and cytosine (C) with guanine (G) to ensure accurate RNA synthesis.

Ribosome

The molecular machine that facilitates the translation of mRNA into a polypeptide chain.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome and matches them to the coded mRNA sequence.

Promoter

A DNA sequence that is recognized by RNA polymerase to initiate transcription.

Template strand

The DNA strand that is used as a guide for RNA synthesis during transcription.

Nucleus

The cellular structure that contains the genetic material and is the site of transcription in eukaryotic cells.