Protein structure
An organic molecule, typically a protein, that catalyses (speeds up) specific reactions
Enzyme
The monomer subunit of nucleic acids.
Nucleotide
Nearly all living organisms use the same codons to code for specific amino acids.
Universal property of the genetic code
The process whereby a sequence of DNA is used as a template to produce a complementary sequence of mRNA
Transcription
A segment of DNA responsible for producing proteins that control the expression of other genes
Regulatory gene
A protein monomer
Amino acid
Double-stranded nucleic acid
DNA
The sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA coding for one amino acid
Codon
The enzyme responsible for constructing a pre-mRNA sequence from a DNA sequence during transcription
RNA Polymerase
A protein coded for by a regulatory gene that prevents gene expression by binding to its operator
Repressor protein
The variable region of a protein monomer
R-group
Polymer containing uracil
RNA
Each amino acid may be coded for by multiple different codons
Degeneracy of the genetic code
The process where an mRNA sequence is read to produce a corresponding amino acid sequence to build a polypeptide
Translation
A cluster of linked genes that all share a common promoter and operator and are transcribed at the same time
Operon
The level of protein structure where the amino acid chain forms either alpha-helices, beta-pleated sheets, or random coils
Secondary structure
Delivers specific amino acids to the ribosome after recognising specific nucleotide sequences on mRNA
tRNA
Non-coding regions of DNA that do not code for proteins.
Introns
Process where introns are cut out of a pre-mRNA molecule, and exons are joined together
Splicing
A short region of DNA that interacts with repressor proteins to alter the transcription of an operon
Operator
The chemical bond linking two amino acids
Peptide bond
Cytosine forms hydrogen bonds with this base
Guanine
The sequence of DNA to which RNA polymerase binds
Promoter
The sequence of three nucleotides on a tRNA molecule that recognises a specific sequence of three nucleotides (codon) on an mRNA strand
Anticodon
A loop formed in mRNA in the presence of tryptophan that ceases transcription of the trp operon
Terminator hairpin