RNA and protein synthesis Flashcards
(23 cards)
Define RNA and its role in genetic expression.
RNA, or Ribonucleic acid, is responsible for putting the genetic code into action.
Describe the function of mRNA in protein synthesis.
mRNA, or messenger RNA, copies and carries the genetic information in the form of codons.
Explain the role of rRNA in the ribosome.
rRNA, or ribosomal RNA, is a component of ribosomal sub-units that helps in the assembly of proteins.
What is the function of tRNA in protein synthesis?
tRNA, or transfer RNA, transfers amino acids to the ribosomes and contains an anticodon that pairs with mRNA codons.
How does RNA polymerase contribute to RNA synthesis?
RNA polymerase is an enzyme that opens DNA and joins nucleotides to synthesize RNA.
Define the term ‘promoter’ in the context of transcription.
A promoter is a DNA sequence that serves as a start signal for transcription.
What are exons and their role in mRNA processing?
Exons are segments of RNA that exit the nucleus to form the final mRNA after introns are removed.
Describe the structure of polypeptides and their relationship to proteins.
Polypeptides are long chains created by amino acids, which combine to form proteins, the macromolecules essential for cellular functions.
Explain the concept of a codon in mRNA.
A codon is a three-letter word in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.
What is an anticodon and its function in tRNA?
An anticodon is a three-letter sequence in tRNA that pairs with the corresponding codon in mRNA during protein synthesis.
Outline the process of transcription in the nucleus.
Transcription involves the DNA being transcribed into mRNA, where RNA polymerase attaches to the promoter, elongates the RNA strand, and processes the mRNA by removing introns and joining exons.
Describe the central dogma of cellular biology.
The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA (transcription) and then to protein (translation).
What occurs during the translation phase of protein synthesis?
During translation, ribosomal sub-units join with mRNA to synthesize proteins based on the sequence of codons.
Compare the structural differences between DNA and RNA.
DNA is double-stranded, contains deoxyribose sugar, and has bases A, T, G, C, while RNA is single-stranded, contains ribose sugar, and has bases A, U, C, G.
Identify where RNA is found within a cell.
RNA is found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes of a cell.
Describe the role of tRNA in protein synthesis.
tRNA brings the amino acids to the ribosome, matching them with the corresponding anticodon during protein synthesis.
Explain how amino acids are linked together in protein formation.
Amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds to form a long chain, which constitutes a protein.
Define mutation in the context of molecular biology.
A mutation is a change or mistake in the DNA sequence.
Differentiate between point mutation and frameshift mutation.
A point mutation involves a change in one or a few nucleotides, while a frameshift mutation involves insertions or deletions that shift the reading frame of the genetic code.
How does a codon chart assist in understanding the genetic code?
A codon chart provides a visual representation of the codons and their corresponding amino acids, aiding in the translation of mRNA into proteins.
Explain the significance of the codon wheel in molecular biology.
The codon wheel is a tool that helps visualize the relationships between different codons and the amino acids they encode, facilitating the understanding of protein synthesis.
What is the relationship between amino acids and proteins?
A long chain of amino acids, linked by peptide bonds, forms a protein.
Describe the impact of frameshift mutations on protein synthesis.
Frameshift mutations can alter the reading frame of the genetic code, potentially leading to completely different and nonfunctional proteins.
