Gene Expression

Gene

A packet of information located in the nucleus that contains a sequence for building proteins.

Protein Synthesis

The process of producing proteins from genes, involving two main stages: transcription and translation.

Transcription

The process of converting DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) that occurs in the nucleus.

Translation

The process where ribosomes read the mRNA strand to produce proteins, taking place in the cytoplasm.

Ribosome

Cellular organelle required for protein production that converts mRNA strands into polypeptides.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, the product of transcription that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins that are linked together by peptide bonds.

Peptide Bond

The bond that links amino acids together to form proteins or polypeptides.

Codon

A sequence of three nitrogen bases on the mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nitrogen bases on the tRNA that is complimentary to the codon on the mRNA.

Start Codon

The first codon read during translation, typically AUG, which signals the start of protein synthesis.

Stop Codon

A codon (UAA, UAG, UGA) that signals the end of protein synthesis.

Central Dogma

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

Gene One Protein Hypothesis

The concept that each gene corresponds to the production of a specific protein.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Transcription Process

The sequence of steps whereby RNA polymerase binds to DNA, unzips it, and synthesizes mRNA.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle embedded with ribosomes, where translation and protein synthesis occur.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

A type of RNA molecule that transfers amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.