HomeMolecular Genetics Study Guide What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Genetics? The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information: DNA → RNA → Protein. What is transcription? The process of making an RNA copy (mRNA) from a DNA template. What is RNA polymerase? An enzyme that synthesizes RNA using a DNA strand as a template. What are promoter and terminator sequences? Promoter: DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription. Terminator: DNA sequence signaling the end of transcription. What is messenger RNA (mRNA)? Carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis. How do DNA and RNA differ? DNA: Double-stranded, contains deoxyribose, bases A-T-C-G. RNA: Single-stranded, contains ribose, bases A-U-C-G (Uracil replaces Thymine). What is translation? Process of converting mRNA into a protein at the ribosome. What are codons? How many codons are there? Three-nucleotide sequences on mRNA that specify amino acids. There are 64 codons total. What are start and stop codons? Why necessary? Start: AUG (codes for Methionine) – signals where translation begins. Stop: UAA, UAG, UGA – signals end of translation. What is transferRNA (tRNA)? Brings specific amino acids to the ribosome according to the codons in mRNA. What are the roles of mRNA, ribosomes, and tRNA during translation? - mRNA: provides the template. - Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis. - tRNA: brings amino acids and matches them to the codon. What is an operon? Who discovered operons? A group of genes under the control of one promoter. Discovered by François Jacob and Jacques Monod. How do inducible and repressible operons differ? - Inducible: usually off; turned on by a molecule (e.g., Lac operon). - Repressible: usually on; turned off by a molecule (e.g., Trp operon). How does the Lac operon work? An inducible operon turned on when lactose is present. Lactose binds the repressor, freeing the operator for transcription. What are repressor proteins? What are operator sequences? Repressors: proteins that bind to the operator to block transcription. Operator: DNA region where repressors bind. What is a mutation? Examples of mutagens? A change in DNA sequence. Mutagens: UV light, chemicals, radiation. What are point mutations? Single base changes (e.g., substitution of one nucleotide). What are frame-shift errors? Insertions or deletions that shift the reading frame, affecting all downstream codons. How does UV radiation mutate DNA Causes thymine dimers (T-T bonds), distorting DNA and interfering with replication

Molecular Genetics Study Guide What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Genetics? The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information: DNA → RNA → Protein. What is transcription? The process of making an RNA copy (mRNA) from a DNA template. What is RNA polymerase? An enzyme that synthesizes RNA using a DNA strand as a template. What are promoter and terminator sequences? Promoter: DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription. Terminator: DNA sequence signaling the end of transcription. What is messenger RNA (mRNA)? Carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis. How do DNA and RNA differ? DNA: Double-stranded, contains deoxyribose, bases A-T-C-G. RNA: Single-stranded, contains ribose, bases A-U-C-G (Uracil replaces Thymine). What is translation? Process of converting mRNA into a protein at the ribosome. What are codons? How many codons are there? Three-nucleotide sequences on mRNA that specify amino acids. There are 64 codons total. What are start and stop codons? Why necessary? Start: AUG (codes for Methionine) – signals where translation begins. Stop: UAA, UAG, UGA – signals end of translation. What is transferRNA (tRNA)? Brings specific amino acids to the ribosome according to the codons in mRNA. What are the roles of mRNA, ribosomes, and tRNA during translation? - mRNA: provides the template. - Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis. - tRNA: brings amino acids and matches them to the codon. What is an operon? Who discovered operons? A group of genes under the control of one promoter. Discovered by François Jacob and Jacques Monod. How do inducible and repressible operons differ? - Inducible: usually off; turned on by a molecule (e.g., Lac operon). - Repressible: usually on; turned off by a molecule (e.g., Trp operon). How does the Lac operon work? An inducible operon turned on when lactose is present. Lactose binds the repressor, freeing the operator for transcription. What are repressor proteins? What are operator sequences? Repressors: proteins that bind to the operator to block transcription. Operator: DNA region where repressors bind. What is a mutation? Examples of mutagens? A change in DNA sequence. Mutagens: UV light, chemicals, radiation. What are point mutations? Single base changes (e.g., substitution of one nucleotide). What are frame-shift errors? Insertions or deletions that shift the reading frame, affecting all downstream codons. How does UV radiation mutate DNA Causes thymine dimers (T-T bonds), distorting DNA and interfering with replication

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