Bio Flash Cards


Gene - specific segment of DNA that tells cells how to function


RNA Stands for - Ribonucleic acid


What's the difference between DNA and RNA- RNA is single stranded and DNA is double stranded


mRNA- carries coded message


rRNA- holds ribosomes together and locates the beginning of the mRNA message 


tRNA- delivers the exact amino acid called for by the mRNA


RNA Synthesis- the process of copying a base sequence from DNA to RNA


RNA polymerase- needed to copy the DNA, binds to DNA, separates a strand


DNA to mRNA is transcription (script= rewrite) happens in the nucleus


mRNA to protein is translation


The genetic code is read 3 bases at a time


The three letter sequence is known as a codon


Proteins are amino acids join in a long chain called a polypeptide


A Mutation is a change in genetic information


Substitution= only changing one

  1. Silent = no effect on codon

  2. Missense = amino acid codon changes, mistake

  3. Nonsense = acts as a stop codon and sequence stops (only happens when there is a stop)



Central Dogma of Bio is DNA to RNA to Protein they go to each other through transcription


Transcription DNA to RNA

Translation RNA to amino acids




mRNA is for the codon wheel 


tRNA is anticodon 


Transcription happens before Translation


Transcription- Changes the DNA into mRNA


Translation- Changes the mRNA into amino acids which form a protein. 


Deletion- is when one nucleotide is deleted and everything after shifts also known as frameshift 



Each protein has its own unique shape and its owns function


Monomer: Amino acids

20 different amino acids with different R side chains

Bonded by PEPTIDE BONDS

Structure of amino acid:


Primary Structure- chain of amino acids held together by peptide bonds


Secondary structure- folding or coiling of polypeptide chains


Tertiary structure- complete 3-D arrangement of the polypeptide chain


Quaternary Structure- Proteins with more than one folded chain forming a large, folded, 3D structure