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Bio 131 > Final Unit: Transcription and RNA Processing > Flashcards

Final Unit: Transcription and RNA Processing Flashcards

1
Q

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

A

DNA –> mRNA –> Protein

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2
Q

What is a simple summary of transcription?

A

Transcribe an RNA copy of the DNA instruction

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3
Q

Where does transcription occur in Eukaryotes? Prokaryotes?

A

Nucleus. Cytoplasm.

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4
Q

What are four key differences between RNA Synthesis and DNA Synthesis?

A
  1. rNTP (ribonucleoside triphosphate) instead of dNTP (deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate)
  2. Only one template strand of DNA is used for RNA synthesis
  3. No primer is needed in RNA synthesis
  4. RNA is much more unstable and short-lived
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5
Q

Is RNA from transcription single or double stranded?

A

Single

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6
Q

Is the RNA from transcription complementary or non-complementary to the DNA template strand?

A

Complementary

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7
Q

What are the 5 types of RNA?

A
  1. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
  2. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA)
  3. Transfer RNA (tRNA)
  4. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
  5. Micro RNA (miRNA)
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8
Q

What is mRNA’s role?

A

To specify polypeptides

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9
Q

What is snRNA’s role?

A

Key component of a spliceosome

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10
Q

What is tRNA’s role?

A

Deliver amino acids

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11
Q

What is rRNA’s role?

A

Involved with ribosomes

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12
Q

What is miRNA’s role?

A

Block expression of mRNAs

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13
Q

The RNA produced from transcription is identical to the DNA _______ strand with the exception of what:

A

DNA nontemplate strand, T replaced with U

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14
Q

Which enzyme is the workhorse of transcription?

A

RNA Polymerase

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15
Q

What direction does RNA polymerase work in?

A

5’ to 3’

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16
Q

How many RNA Polymerases are in bacteria?

A

1

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17
Q

How many RNA Polymerases are in eukaryotes?

A

3 (I, II, III)

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17
Q

What part of DNA does RNA synthesis occur in?

A

A locally unwound segment of DNA

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18
Q

What is a gene?

A

A unit of genetic information that controls the synthesis of one protein/structural RNA molecule

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19
Q

What is a transcriptional unit?

A

The stretch of DNA that is transcribed into RNA

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20
Q

In addition to a segment of DNA, what are the components of a transcriptional unit?

A

Promotor, Introns, Exons, and Terminator

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21
Q

What does +1 refer to?

A

Transcription site

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22
Q

Before the initiation site is referred to…

A

Upstream

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23
Q

Is upstream + or -? 5’ or 3’?

A

(-) and 5’

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24
After the initiation site is referred to...
Downstream
25
Is downstream + or -? 5' or 3'?
+ and 3'
26
What is the name for the strand read by RNA polymerase?
Template strand
27
What are three names for the strand read by RNA polymerase?
Template, non-coding, antisense
27
What are three names for the strand not read by RNA polymerase?
Non-template, coding, sense
28
Why is coding strand an appropriate name for the strand that is not read by RNA polymerase?
The sequence of the coding strand matches the sequence of the RNA that is transcribed from the template strand (except T is replaced with U)
29
What are the three stages of transcription in prokaryotes?
Initiation, Elongation, Termination
30
PROKARYOTES: In initiation, what is the role of sigma?
Helps place RNA polymerase onto DNA template
31
PROKARYOTES: In initiation, sigma and RNA polymerase together form a ...
Holoenzyme
32
PROKARYOTES: In initiation, after how many ribonucleotides is sigma no longer needed?
About 9
33
PROKARYOTES: What are the two important parts of the promoter?
-10 box and -35 box
34
PROKARYOTES: Where is the -10 box found?
10 bases upstream from the transcription start site
35
PROKARYOTES: What is the sequence of the -10 box?
TATAAT
36
PROKARYOTES: Where is the -35 box found?
35 base pairs upstream from the transcription start site
37
PROKARYOTES: What is the sequence of the -35 box?
TTGACA
38
PROKARYOTES: What four key things happen in initiation?
1. Sigma factor recognizes the promoter region 2. RNA polymerase attaches 3. DNA strands separate to form open complex 4. Polymerization begins
39
PROKARYOTES: How long is the new RNA strand associated with the template strand?
Only temporarily
40
PROKARYOTES: Does elongation need sigma factor?
No
41
PROKARYOTES: What are the two key events in elongation?
1. SIgma factor released 2. RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA using the template strand
42
PROKARYOTES: When does termination occur?
When RNA polymerase reaches the termination sequence
43
PROKARYOTES: What happens when the termination sequence is reached?
RNA polymerase and newly-made mRNA dissociate from DNA
44
PROKARYOTES: What happens when the termination sequence is transcribed?
A hairpin structure is formed
45
EUKARYOTES: Why is everything more complicated in eukaryotes?
mRNA has to leave the nucleus
46
EUKARYOTES: What features of eukaryotic transcription are identical to prokaryotes?
Basic features
47
EUKARYOTES: Which form of RNA polymerase transcribes mRNA?
RNA Polymerase II
48
EUKARYOTES: How many basal transcription factors are needed to initiate transcription?
5
49
EUKARYOTES: Many eukaryotic promoters include a unique sequence called the ______
TATA box
50
EUKARYOTES: Where is the TATA box located?
About 30 basepairs upstream of the transcription start site
51
EUKARYOTES: Do eukaryotes use sigma proteins?
No
52
What is the main difference between the RNA product of bacteria vs the RNA product of eukaryotes?
In bacteria, DNA is converted to mRNA directly. In eukaryotes, the product is transcription is called pre-mRNA. It needs further processing before translation.
53
EUKARYOTES: What are the three steps of RNA Processing?
Capping, Splicing, Tailing
54
EUKARYOTES: The protein-coding regions of eukaryotic genes are interrupted by _______ regions
Non-coding
55
EUKARYOTES: What are the coding regions of eukaryotic genes called?
Exons
56
EUKARYOTES: What are the intervening noncoding sequences of eukaryotic genes called?
Introns
57
EUKARYOTES: Are exons or introns in the final mRNA?
Exons
58
EUKARYOTES: What is the process that removes introns?
Splicing
59
EUKARYOTES: What splices the RNA?
Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs)
60
EUKARYOTES: What do the snRNPs form in splicing?
Spliceosome
61
EUKARYOTES: What are the 4 steps of RNA Splicing?
1. snRNPs bind to intron 2. snRNPs assemble to form the spliceosome 3. Intron is cut 4. Intron is released and exons are joined together
62
EUKARYOTES: What is alternative splicing?
Making different mRNA transcripts from different combinations of exons
63
EUKARYOTES: What is added to the 5' end of pre-mRNA?
5' cap
64
EUKARYOTES: What does the 5' cap consist of?
A modified Guanine nucleotide
64
EUKARYOTES: What is the role of the 5' cap?
Serves as a recognition signal for translation
65
EUKARYOTES: What is added to the 3' end of pre-mRNA?
Poly(A) tail
66
EUKARYOTES: What does the Poly(A) tail consist of?
A bunch of As
67
EUKARYOTES: What is the role of the Poly(A) tail?
Protects mRNA from degradation

Bio 131 (25 decks)

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