20 flashcards · Shared on 19 August 2026 by AtomAI Library
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What does the central dogma of molecular biology describe?
The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein
What does the central dogma of molecular biology describe?
The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein
What is the main purpose of DNA replication?
To copy DNA before cell division
Why is DNA replication described as semiconservative?
Each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly made strand
Which enzyme separates the two strands of DNA at a replication fork?
Helicase
In which direction does DNA polymerase synthesize a new DNA strand?
From 5′ to 3′
What is the function of primase during DNA replication?
It produces short RNA primers
How is the leading strand normally synthesized?
Continuously toward the replication fork
What are Okazaki fragments?
Short DNA sections made on the lagging strand
Which enzyme seals breaks between Okazaki fragments in the sugar-phosphate backbone?
DNA ligase
What is transcription?
The copying of a DNA sequence into RNA
Which enzyme synthesizes RNA during transcription?
RNA polymerase
What is the role of a promoter in transcription?
It signals where RNA polymerase should begin transcription
How does RNA polymerase use the DNA template strand?
It reads the template 3′ to 5′ and makes RNA 5′ to 3′
Which RNA base pairs with adenine in a DNA template during transcription?
Uracil
What happens during RNA splicing in eukaryotic cells?
Introns are removed and exons are joined
What is translation?
The synthesis of a polypeptide using an mRNA template
What is a codon?
A three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA that specifies an amino acid or stop signal
What is the main role of transfer RNA during translation?
To bring specific amino acids to the ribosome
How does a tRNA identify the appropriate codon in mRNA?
Its anticodon base-pairs with the codon
What happens when a ribosome reaches a stop codon?
A release factor promotes release of the completed polypeptide