Central Dogma Flashcard

Front

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

Back

The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, typically summarized as replication, transcription, and translation.

Front

What process occurs first in the central dogma?

Back

Replication occurs first, where DNA is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.

Front

Where does transcription occur in eukaryotic cells?

Back

Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Front

What is the role of mRNA in the central dogma?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis.

Front

What is the function of ribosomes in translation?

Back

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

Front

What is a codon?

Back

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

Front

What type of bond connects amino acids in a protein?

Back

A peptide bond connects amino acids in a protein.

Front

What is the significance of uracil in RNA?

Back

Uracil is a nitrogenous base found in RNA that replaces thymine, which is found in DNA.

Front

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

Back

DNA is double-stranded and contains thymine, while RNA is single-stranded and contains uracil.

Front

What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?

Back

tRNA (transfer RNA) brings the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching its anticodon with the codon on the mRNA.