Protein Sythesis
the process of using instructions carried on a gene to create proteins
Gene
a sequence of DNA that encodes a protein
Protein
a large molecule composed of amino acids
DNA
- Double-stranded
- Each nucleotide composed of deoxyribose, phosphate, and nitrogenous base
- 4 bases: adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine
RNA
- Single-stranded
- Nucleotides comprised of ribose, phosphate, and nitrogenous base
- 4 bases: A, T, G, and Uracil
Transcription
DNA to RNA
Translation
RNA to Protein
RNA Polymerase
- Binds to the promoter region of the gene
- Zips down the length of gene, matching RNA nucleotides with complementary DNA nucleotides
Ribosomes
is composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and comprises a small and a large subunit
Transfer RNA
tRNA carries amino acids and matches its anticodon with codons on mRNA
Mutations
changes in genetic sequence
Base-Substitution Mutation
simple substitution of one base for another
Neutral Mutation
mutation does not change the function of the protein, it codes for the same amino acid
Frameshift Mutation
addition or deletion of a base, which changes the reading frame
Regulating Gene Expression
turning a gene or a set of genes on or off
Repressors
- Bind to the promoter and prevent the RNA polymerase from binding
- Prokaryotic cells use to regulate gene expression
Activators
- Help the RNA polymerase bind to the promoter
- Eukaryotic cells use activators to regulate gene expression
Transgenic Organism
the result of the incorporation of a gene from one organism to the genome of another (genetically modified organism (GMO))
Gene Therapy
replacement of defective genes with functional genes
Germ Line Gene Therapy
- Embryonic treatment
- Embryo supplied with a functional version of the defective gene
- Embryo + cells produced by cell division have a functional version of gene
Somatic Cell Gene Therapy
fix or replace the defective protein only in specific cells
SCID
severe combined immunodeficiency
Nuclear Transfer
cloning is achieved through this process
