Protein Synthesis and Mutations

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What is protein synthesis?

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The process by which cells generate new proteins, involving transcription of DNA to mRNA and translation of mRNA to a protein.

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What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

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mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

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What is a codon?

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A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

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What is the function of tRNA?

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tRNA (transfer RNA) transports specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis, matching them to the corresponding codons on the mRNA.

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What is a mutation?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins.

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What is a substitution mutation?

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A substitution mutation occurs when one nucleotide in the DNA sequence is replaced by another, potentially altering the amino acid sequence.

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What is a frameshift mutation?

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A frameshift mutation occurs when nucleotides are inserted or deleted from the DNA sequence, shifting the reading frame and altering the entire amino acid sequence.

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What is transcription?

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Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into mRNA.

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What is translation?

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Translation is the process of decoding mRNA to synthesize a protein at the ribosome.

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What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

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The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information: DNA -> RNA -> Protein.