Bio 322 Midterm 1 Exam Questions and Correct Answers

gene Unit of heredity containing the instructions that dictate the characteristics or phenotype of an organism; in molecular terms, a segment of DNA that directs the production of a particular protein or functional RNA molecule. transription Process in which RNA polymerase uses one strand of DNA as a template to synthesize a complementary RNA sequence. RNA Molecule produced by the transcription of DNA; usually single-stranded, it is a polynucleotide composed of covalently linked ribonucleotide subunits. Serves a variety of informational, structural, catalytic, and regulatory functions in cells RNA transcript RNA molecule produced by transcription that is complementary to one strand of DNA RNA polymerase Enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template using ribonucleoside triphosphate precursors messenger RNA (mRNA) RNA molecule that specifies the amino acid sequence of a protein gene expression The process by which a gene makes a product that is useful to the cell or organism by directing the synthesis of a protein or an RNA molecule with a characteristic activity promoter DNA sequence that initiates gene transcription; includes sequences recognized by RNA polymerase and its accessory proteins general transcription factors Proteins that assemble on the promoters of eukaryotic genes near the start site of transcription and load the RNA polymerase in the correct position RNA processing Broad term for the modifications that a precursor mRNA undergoes as it matures into an mRNA. It typically includes 5′ capping, RNA splicing, and 3′ polyadenylation