Protein Synthesis Flashcard (STAAR and Short)

Front

What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

Back

mRNA serves as a template for translating the genetic code into a specific sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis.

Front

How does the mRNA strand relate to the DNA template strand during transcription?

Back

The mRNA strand is complementary to the DNA template strand, with Uracil pairing with Adenine instead of Thymine.

Front

What is the first amino acid coded from a DNA strand during transcription?

Back

Methionine (Met) is typically the first amino acid coded from a DNA strand.

Front

Where does transcription occur in eukaryotic cells?

Back

Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Front

What is the purpose of translation in protein synthesis?

Back

The purpose of translation is to convert the genetic code carried by mRNA into a specific sequence of amino acids, forming a protein.

Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

Front

What is the significance of the start codon in protein synthesis?

Back

The start codon (AUG) signals the beginning of translation and codes for the amino acid Methionine.

Front

What are the main steps of transcription?

Back

The main steps of transcription include initiation, elongation, and termination, where RNA polymerase synthesizes mRNA from the DNA template.

Front

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

Back

DNA contains deoxyribose sugar and thymine, while RNA contains ribose sugar and uracil.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Back

Ribosomes are the cellular machinery that facilitate the translation of mRNA into a polypeptide chain (protein) by reading codons and assembling amino acids.