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Boundless Biology
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Chapter 15

Genes and Proteins

Book Version 32
By Boundless
Boundless Biology
Biology
by Boundless
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Section 1
The Genetic Code
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The Relationship Between Genes and Proteins

Proteins, encoded by individual genes, orchestrate nearly every function of the cell.

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The Central Dogma: DNA Encodes RNA and RNA Encodes Protein

The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Section 2
Prokaryotic Transcription
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Transcription in Prokaryotes

The genetic code is a degenerate, non-overlapping set of 64 codons that encodes for 21 amino acids and 3 stop codons.

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Initiation of Transcription in Prokaryotes

RNA polymerase initiates transcription at specific DNA sequences called promoters.

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Elongation and Termination in Prokaryotes

Transcription elongation begins with the release of the polymerase σ subunit and terminates via the rho protein or via a stable hairpin.

Section 3
Eukaryotic Transcription
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Initiation of Transcription in Eukaryotes

Initiation is the first step of eukaryotic transcription and requires RNAP and several transcription factors to proceed.

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Elongation and Termination in Eukaryotes

Elongation synthesizes pre-mRNA in a 5' to 3' direction, and termination occurs in response to termination sequences and signals.

Section 4
RNA Processing in Eukaryotes
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mRNA Processing

Eukaryotic pre-mRNA receives a 5' cap and a 3' poly (A) tail before introns are removed and the mRNA is considered ready for translation.

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Processing of tRNAs and rRNAs

rRNA and tRNA are structural molecules that aid in protein synthesis but are not themselves translated into protein.

Section 5
Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis
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The Protein Synthesis Machinery

Protein synthesis, or translation of mRNA into protein, occurs with the help of ribosomes, tRNAs, and aminoacyl tRNA synthetases.

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The Mechanism of Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis involves building a peptide chain using tRNAs to add amino acids and mRNA as a blueprint for the specific sequence.

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Protein Folding, Modification, and Targeting

In order to function, proteins must fold into the correct three-dimensional shape, and be targeted to the correct part of the cell.

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Boundless Biology by Boundless
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Chapter 14
DNA Structure and Function
  • Historical Basis of Modern Understanding
  • DNA Structure and Sequencing
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA Repair
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Chapter 15
Genes and Proteins
  • The Genetic Code
  • Prokaryotic Transcription
  • Eukaryotic Transcription
  • RNA Processing in Eukaryotes
  • Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis
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Chapter 16
Gene Expression
  • Regulation of Gene Expression
  • Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
  • Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
  • Regulating Gene Expression in Cell Development
  • Cancer and Gene Regulation
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