Molecular Biology - Central Dogma & Gene Regulation

The fundamental principle stating that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. It describes the processes of DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

The semi-conservative process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA. The double helix unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand, resulting in two identical DNA molecules, each with one original and one new strand.

DNA Polymerase is the enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand. It also has proofreading activity to correct errors and synthesizes DNA exclusively in the $5^{\prime }\to 3^{\prime }$ direction.

The process where genetic information from a DNA template is copied into an RNA molecule. This RNA molecule, primarily messenger RNA (mRNA), then carries the genetic code from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.

RNA Polymerase is the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template during transcription. It unwinds the DNA, reads the template strand in the $3^{\prime }\to 5^{\prime }$ direction, and synthesizes an RNA strand in the $5^{\prime }\to 3^{\prime }$ direction, without needing a primer.

1. mRNA (messenger RNA): Carries the genetic code from DNA to ribosomes, specifying the amino acid sequence of a protein.
2. tRNA (transfer RNA): Acts as an adaptor molecule, carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome and recognizing corresponding codons on the mRNA.
3. rRNA (ribosomal RNA): A structural and catalytic component of ribosomes, essential for protein synthesis (peptidyl transferase activity).

The process by which the genetic information encoded in mRNA is decoded to synthesize a specific protein. It occurs on ribosomes, where tRNA molecules bring amino acids corresponding to mRNA codons, forming a polypeptide chain.

Ribosomes are macromolecular machines composed of rRNA and proteins that serve as the site of protein synthesis. They facilitate the binding of mRNA and tRNA, catalyze the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids, and move along the mRNA during elongation.