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Central Dogma definitions

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  • Central Dogma
    Describes the one-way transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, emphasizing irreversibility once information reaches protein.
  • Transcription
    Process where RNA is synthesized from a DNA template, replacing thymine with uracil and proceeding in a 5' to 3' direction.
  • Translation
    Process where ribosomes read mRNA codons and tRNAs deliver amino acids to assemble proteins from N-terminal to C-terminal.
  • RNA Polymerase
    Enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA molecules using a DNA template, aligning free RNA nucleotides in a specific direction.
  • Ribosome
    Cellular structure composed of large and small subunits that facilitates protein synthesis by decoding mRNA.
  • mRNA
    RNA molecule carrying genetic instructions from DNA, read in codons during protein synthesis.
  • tRNA
    Specialized RNA molecule with an anticodon that pairs with mRNA codons and delivers corresponding amino acids.
  • Codon
    Three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA specifying a particular amino acid during translation.
  • Anticodon
    Three-nucleotide sequence in tRNA complementary to mRNA codons, ensuring correct amino acid placement.
  • Genetic Code
    Universal set of rules interpreting mRNA codons to determine which amino acids are incorporated into proteins.
  • Nucleus
    Cellular compartment in eukaryotes where transcription occurs, housing DNA templates.
  • Cytoplasm
    Cellular region where translation takes place, allowing ribosomes to assemble proteins.
  • Amino Acid
    Building block of proteins, delivered by tRNAs during translation and linked by ribosomes.
  • N-terminal
    Starting end of a protein, where translation begins and the first amino acid is positioned.
  • C-terminal
    Ending end of a protein, where the final amino acid is added during translation.