DNA and Protein Synthesis Flashcards

Grade 9 · Science · Flashcards

Master key vocabulary and concepts for DNA structure and the central dogma of molecular biology.

Flashcards

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; the double-stranded helical molecule that stores genetic information using bases A, T, G, and C.
Nitrogenous Base: One of four molecules (A, T, G, C in DNA; A, U, G, C in RNA) that encode genetic information and form base pairs.
Transcription: The synthesis of mRNA from a DNA template, carried out by RNA polymerase in the nucleus.
Translation: The synthesis of a protein from an mRNA template at the ribosome, using tRNA to bring amino acids.
Codon: A set of three consecutive mRNA nucleotides that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal.
tRNA: Transfer RNA; clover-leaf shaped molecule that carries a specific amino acid and has an anticodon complementary to an mRNA codon.
mRNA: Messenger RNA; single-stranded RNA that carries the genetic message from DNA in the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Amino Acid: The monomer of proteins; 20 different types exist, each coded by one or more mRNA codons.
Mutation: A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA that can alter the protein product or have no effect (silent mutation).
Central Dogma: The framework describing genetic information flow: DNA → RNA → Protein (via transcription then translation).
Promoter: A specific DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to begin transcription of a gene.
Stop Codon: One of three mRNA codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) that signal the ribosome to terminate translation and release the polypeptide.