Gene Expression Part 1: Reading Genes to Make Proteins Glossary

The basic building blocks of proteins. The sequence of amino acids in a protein and protein function are determined by the genetic code.

A genetic structure in a cell composed of condensed DNA, which contains the genetic code for an organism.

Region of the DNA sequence between the promoter and the termination sequence. It contains the instructions about how to make a specific protein.

(deoxyribonucleic acid) The molecule that encodes genetic information. DNA is a double-stranded molecule held together by weak bonds between base pairs of nucleotides. It is the fundamental substance of which genes are composed.

The process in which a DNA molecule is copied. This takes place in PCR and naturally in cell division.

That particular portion of a DNA molecule which is copied in PCR.

A protein that catalyzes, or speeds up, a specific biochemical reaction without changing the nature of the reaction.

The fundamental unit of heredity that carries genetic information from one generation to the next. A gene is an ordered sequence of nucleotides located on a particular position on a particular chromosome that encodes a specific functional protein.

The production of a protein encoded by a gene. Gene expression is controlled by the promoter region of the gene.

The fundamental unit of heredity that carries genetic information from one generation to the next. A gene is an ordered sequence of nucleotides located on a particular position on a particular chromosome that encodes a specific functional protein.

(messenger ribonucleic acid) The message made during transcription by reading the DNA sequence to build a particular protein. A single-stranded nucleic acid similar to DNA but having a ribose sugar rather than deoxyribose sugar and a uracil rather than thymine as one of the bases.

A subunit of DNA or RNA consisting of a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine in DNA; adenine, guanine, uracil, or cytosine in RNA), a phosphate molecule, and a sugar molecule. Thousands of nucleotides are linked together to form a DNA strand.

The building blocks of DNA and RNA; adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine (DNA only), and uracil (RNA only).

The part of the plant or animal cell that contains the chromosomes.

A sequence of interconnecting enzyme reactions.

A specific DNA sequence to which RNA polymerase binds and initiates transcription. This region contains information which regulates when and how often the gene is transcribed and ultimately the amount of protein it produces.

A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order. Proteins are necessary for the structure, function, and regulation of an organism's cells, tissues, and organs. Each protein has a unique function determined by its shape.

Large molecules composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order. Proteins are necessary for the structure, function, and regulation of the organism's cells, tissues, and organs. Each protein has a unique function determined by its shape.

The copying of a DNA molecule.

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA by copying the nucleotide sequence of the DNA.

The sequence of DNA which signals the transcription to stop.

The process by which the nucleotide sequence of DNA is copied into a single-stranded molecule of RNA. The nucleotide sequence of the RNA created is complementary to the DNA sequence except all thymine molecules are replaced with uracil molecules.

The process following transcription during which the nucleotide sequence of mRNA is read and 'translated' into a chain of amino acids (protein). The mRNA sequence is read three nucleotides (codon) at a time, and each codon codes for a specific amino acid.