Question 1

What is DNA transcription?

Accepted Answer

The process of copying a segment of DNA into mRNA, which then goes to a ribosome to create a certain protein

(mRNA=messenger RNA; DNA can't produce proteins by itself; carried out by RNA polymerase)

Question 2

Why does DNA need to be transcripted into mRNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA can't produce the proteins it encodes for by itself

It needs to be transcribed into mRNA (also built of nucleotides), which then tells ribosomes how to build a certain protein

Question 3

What is RNA polymerase?

Accepted Answer

An enzyme responsible for copying a DNA sequence into an RNA sequence during transcription

(attaches to a promoter region on a DNA strand (initiation), adds nucleotides to the 3' end of the growing strand (elongation), and stops when it reaches the termination site (termination))

Question 4

What is a promoter region?

Accepted Answer

A recognition site that RNA polymerase attaches to, starting initiation

(contains the TATA box)

Question 5

What is the TATA box?

Accepted Answer

A group of nucleotides in promoter regions that are important for binding the RNA polymerase

Question 6

How is the central dogma different in eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, so they perform DNA replication, transcription, and RNA translation all at once

Eukaryotes have a nucleus, so while they also perform DNA replication and transcription, RNA must travel across the nuclear membrane before undergoing translation

Question 7

What are polyribosomes (polysomes)?

Accepted Answer

A group of ribosomes bound to an mRNA molecule that translate mRNA instructions into polypeptides

(similar to beads/threads; polypeptides=chains of amino acids)

DNA Transcription, AP Biology Flashcards