[BIO] central dogma

• central dogma of genetics

  • dna -> rna -> protein
  • replication -> transcription -> translation
  • cannot go in reverse
• transcription

  dna template is used to make rna
• translation


  mRNA is used by ribosomes to make protein
• base pairs in dna

  • A/T
  • C/G
• rna difference from dna

  • ribose instead of deoxyribose
  • a pairs with u instead of t
  • read in 5' to 3' not 3' to 5'
• base pairs in rna

  • A - U
  • T - A
  • C/G
• 3 types of rna

  • mRNA
  • rRNA
  • tRNA
• mRNA

  • messenger RNA
  • carries information that specifies a protein
• rRNA

  • ribosomal RNA
  • combines with proteins to form the ribosome
• tRNA

  • transfer RNA
  • carries each amino acid to the correct spot along the mRNA molecule
• codon


  3 consecutive mRNA bases that specifies a protein
• anticodon

  group of 3 bases on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to the mRNA codon
• aminoacyl-tRNA

  • substrate for translation
  • tRNA with an attached amino acid
• ribosome

  • site of translation
  • two subunits: one large and one small
• rna polymerase


  enzyme that builds rna strand in transcription
• a site

  • where the aminoacyl tRNA attaches to the mRNA
  • peptide bond forms between amino acid in A site and P site
• p site

  where the final polypeptide chain is formed
• e site

  where the tRNA exits the ribosome
• 3 types of mutations

  1. silent: genetic mutation but no change in protein
  2. missense: genetic mutation that causes change in protein
  3. nonsense: genetic mutation that causes translation to stop