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Molecular Biology — Gene Expression and Regulation

Transcription, translation, and gene regulatory mechanisms

O
operon_opal 26 terms Feb 2, 2026
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Terms 26

1
Central Dogma
DNA → RNA → Protein; flow of genetic information in cells
2
Transcription
DNA template strand read 3'→5' by RNA polymerase; produces mRNA in 5'→3' direction
3
RNA Polymerase
Enzyme synthesizing RNA from DNA template; does not need a primer
4
Promoter
DNA sequence upstream of gene where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription
5
TATA Box
Core promoter element ~25 bp upstream of transcription start site in eukaryotes
6
5' Capping
Modified guanosine added to 5' end of eukaryotic mRNA; protects from degradation; aids ribosome binding
7
3' Polyadenylation
Addition of poly(A) tail to 3' end of mRNA; stabilizes and aids nuclear export
8
RNA Splicing
Removal of introns from pre-mRNA; exons joined; carried out by spliceosome
9
Spliceosome
Large RNA-protein complex catalyzing removal of introns from pre-mRNA
10
Intron
Non-coding intervening sequence removed from pre-mRNA during splicing
11
Exon
Coding sequence retained in mature mRNA and translated into protein
12
Alternative Splicing
Different exon combinations produce multiple proteins from one gene; increases proteome diversity
13
Translation
mRNA codons read by ribosome; tRNA brings amino acids; polypeptide synthesized
14
Codon
Three-nucleotide mRNA sequence specifying an amino acid or stop signal
15
Start Codon (AUG)
Methionine codon; marks translation initiation site
16
Stop Codons
UAA, UAG, UGA; signal termination; no tRNA recognizes them
17
tRNA
Adapter molecule with anticodon matching codon; carries cognate amino acid to ribosome
18
Ribosome (80S vs 70S)
Eukaryotes: 80S (40S + 60S); prokaryotes: 70S (30S + 50S); site of translation
19
Operon
Prokaryotic cluster of genes transcribed together under one promoter; e.g. lac operon
20
lac Operon
E. coli system for lactose metabolism; induced by allolactose; repressed by lac repressor
21
Transcription Factor
Protein binding DNA to activate or repress transcription in eukaryotes
22
Enhancer
Distant DNA element dramatically increasing transcription of target gene
23
Epigenetics
Heritable gene expression changes not involving DNA sequence; DNA methylation, histone modification
24
microRNA (miRNA)
Short non-coding RNA silencing gene expression by binding complementary mRNA
25
CRISPR-Cas9
Guide RNA directs Cas9 nuclease to specific DNA site; cuts for editing or silencing
26
Signal Transduction
Cascade from extracellular signal to intracellular response; kinases, second messengers