AP Bio Insta-Review Topic 6.3: Transcription & RNA Processing

Front

What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the codon sequence that is translated into a protein during the process of translation.

Front

What is transcription?

Back

Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA under the direction of DNA.

Front

What is the function of rRNA?

Back

rRNA (ribosomal RNA) serves as the site of protein synthesis, forming the core of the ribosome's structure.

Front

What is the role of tRNA in translation?

Back

tRNA (transfer RNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, matching them to the codons on the mRNA.

Front

In which direction is RNA synthesized during transcription?

Back

RNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction.

Front

What are codons?

Back

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids during translation.

Front

What is the significance of the 5' cap in mRNA processing?

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The 5' cap protects mRNA from degradation and assists in ribosome binding during translation.

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What is polyadenylation in mRNA processing?

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Polyadenylation is the addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of mRNA, which enhances stability and export from the nucleus.

Front

What is the difference between introns and exons?

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Introns are non-coding regions of RNA that are removed during processing, while exons are coding regions that remain in the final mRNA.

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What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

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RNA polymerase is the enzyme that synthesizes RNA by unwinding the DNA and adding RNA nucleotides complementary to the DNA template.