| Sections of DNA that contain the instructions for building proteins. | Genes |
| What determines the order of amino acids in a protein? | Genes determine the order of amino acids in a protein. |
| The sequence of DNA bases that determines the order of amino acids in a protein. | Genetic Code |
| What is the genetic code? | The order of DNA bases in a gene, which codes for the order of amino acids in a protein. |
| A sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that corresponds with a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis. | Codon |
| What does each group of 3 DNA bases in a gene represent? | In a gene, each group of 3 DNA bases provides a code for a specific amino acid molecule. |
| The process by which proteins are assembled based on the information encoded in genes. | Protein Synthesis |
| How are amino acids joined together to make a protein? | Amino acids join together in a specific order during protein synthesis. |
| The process by which a protein assumes its functional shape. | Protein Folding |
| What happens once all the amino acids in a protein have joined up? | Once all the amino acids in a protein have joined up, the protein folds up into a unique shape. |
| The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a protein molecule. | Protein Structure |
| What determines the shape of a protein? | The shape of the protein depends on the specific order of the amino acids. |
| The specific role or activity of a protein in a biological system. | Protein Function |
| What does the shape of a protein affect? | The shape of the protein affects the protein's function. |
| Proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in biological systems. | Proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in biological systems. |
| What are some functions of proteins? | Proteins may function as enzymes or hormones. |
| An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. | Amylase |
| What is an example of a protein with a specific shape for a particular function? | For example, the digestive enzyme amylase has a shape that lets it bind to starch molecules in food. |
| The process by which proteins are built in a cell. | Protein Synthesis |
| What is the process of building proteins called? | When proteins are built, it's called protein synthesis. |
| The first stage of protein synthesis where the DNA code is copied onto mRNA. | Transcription |
| What is the first stage of protein synthesis called? | The first stage of protein synthesis is called transcription. |
| A molecule that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis. | mRNA (Messenger RNA) |
| What molecule is produced during transcription? | During transcription, the DNA code is copied onto another molecule called mRNA. |
| The process of separating the two strands of DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds between the bases. | DNA Unzipping |
| What happens during the first step of transcription? | The DNA molecule inside the nucleus unzips its two strands by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds between bases. |
| An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. | RNA Polymerase |
| What enzyme is involved after the first step of transcription? | An enzyme called RNA polymerase then binds to non-coding DNA just in front of a gene. |
| The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases between two nucleic acid strands. | Complementary Base Pairing |
| How is the mRNA strand produced during transcription? | RNA polymerase produces a complementary mRNA strand from the coding DNA of the gene by joining free nucleotides to the DNA strand via complementary base pairing. |
| A copy that is complementary or inverted to the original. | Opposite Copy |
| What is the mRNA molecule compared to the DNA during transcription? | The mRNA molecule ends up being like an opposite copy of the unzipped DNA. |
| The second stage of protein synthesis where the mRNA code is used to assemble amino acids into a protein. | Translation |
| What is the second stage of protein synthesis called? | The second stage of protein synthesis is called translation. |
| The fluid-filled region of the cell outside the nucleus where cellular activities such as translation occur. | Cytoplasm |
| Where does translation occur within the cell? | Translation happens in the cytoplasm of the cell at a structure called a ribosome. |
| A cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs; it reads the mRNA code and assembles amino acids into a protein. | Ribosome |
| What structure assembles proteins during translation? | The mRNA travels out of the nucleus and attaches to a ribosome, which assembles the protein. |
| A sequence of three nucleotides on the mRNA strand that codes for a specific amino acid during translation. | Codon |
| What is each triplet of three bases on the mRNA strand known as? | Each triplet of three bases on the mRNA strand is known as a codon. |
| Molecules that carry amino acids to the ribosome and recognize the appropriate codons on the mRNA strand during translation. | tRNA (Transfer RNA) |
| What brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation? | Carrier molecules called tRNA molecules bring the amino acids to the ribosome in the correct order. |
| A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; the precursor to a protein. | Polypeptide |
| What do amino acids link up to form during translation? | The amino acids then link up to make the polypeptide (protein). |
