DNA, Hot Pockets, & The Longest Word Ever: Crash Course Biology #11

upstream means toward the

3'

downstream means toward the

5'

spliceosome

A large complex made up of proteins and RNA molecules that splices RNA by interacting with the ends of an RNA intron, releasing the intron and joining the two adjacent exons.

introns

A noncoding, intervening sequence within a eukaryotic gene.

TATA Box

A promoter DNA sequence crucial in forming the transcription initiation complex.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of RNA, synthesized from DNA and attached to ribosomes in the cytoplasm; it specifies the primary structure of a protein.

enzyme

A type of protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living thing

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

An RNA molecule that functions as an interpreter between nucleic acid and protein language by picking up specific amino acids and recognizing the appropriate codons in the mRNA

protein

An organic compound that is made of one or more chains of amino acids and that is a principal component of all cells

ribosome

Cytoplasmic organelles at which proteins are synthesized.

hydrophobic

Having an aversion to water; tending to coalesce and form droplets in water.

poly-A tail

Modified end of the 3' end of an mRNA molecule consisting of the addition of some 50 to 250 adenine nucleotides.

RNA splicing

Process by which the introns are removed from RNA transcripts and the remaining exons are joined together.

rough endoplasmic reticulum

System of internal membranes within the cytoplasm. Membranes are rough due to the presence of ribosomes. functions in transport of substances such as proteins within the cytoplasm

quaternary structure

The fourth level of protein structure; the shape resulting from the association of two or more polypeptide subunits.

protein folding

The physical process by which a polypeptide folds into its characteristic three-dimensional structure, which is essential to the protein's function.

DNA translation

The ribosome interpreting the RNA message into the exact sequence of amino acids and assembling them into a protein

cytosine

a compound found in living tissue as a constituent base of nucleic acids. A pyrimidine derivative, it is paired with guanine in double-stranded DNA.

thymine

a compound that is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids. A pyrimidine derivative, it is paired with adenine in double-stranded DNA.

adenine

a compound which is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids. A purine derivative, it is paired with thymine in double-stranded DNA.

uracil

a nitrogen-containing base found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine

polypeptides

a polymer of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.

Titin

a protein that helps give you like the springiness to your muscles

anticodon

a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.

termination signal

a specific sequence of nucleotides that marks the end of a gene

Carbohydrate

compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms; major source of energy for the human body

amino acid

compound with an amino group on one end and a carboxyl group on the other end

exons

expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein

pleated sheets

folding (like an accordian) held together by hydrogen bonds

Methionine

is an essential amino acid encoded by the codon AUG

lipid

macromolecule made mostly from carbon and hydrogen atoms; includes fats, oils, and waxes

guanine

one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids. A purine derivative, it is paired with cytosine in double-stranded DNA.

As it moves, the RNA polymerase

re-zips the DNA behind it and lets our new strand of messenger RNA peel away.

Processed messenger RNA gets fed into a

ribosome

Animals, plants and also hot pockets are really nothing more than

salty water, carbohydrates, fats, and you know proteins combined in precise proportions following very explicit instructions.

snRNP

small nuclear ribonucleoproteins; recognize the splice sites in the pre-mRNA; located in the nucleus and are composed of proteins and RNA

DNA transcription

the formation of an RNA strand complementary to the DNA strand by RNA polymerase

triplet codon

three nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for specific amino acid

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes

hydrophilic

water loving