Biology Flashcards: Describe Transcription Process

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Describe Transcription Process, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is an intron?

Answer: A noncoding RNA segment removed from pre-mRNA. Non-coding sequences removed during RNA processing.

Flashcard 2: Which base in RNA pairs with adenine ($A$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Uracil ($U$). RNA contains uracil instead of thymine found in DNA.

Flashcard 3: Which base in RNA pairs with cytosine ($C$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Guanine ($G$). Standard Watson-Crick base pairing rule for transcription.

Flashcard 4: Where does transcription occur in prokaryotic cells?

Answer: In the cytoplasm (nucleoid region). Prokaryotes lack nucleus, so transcription occurs in cytoplasm.

Flashcard 5: What is transcription in the context of gene expression and protein synthesis?

Answer: Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template by RNA polymerase. First step of gene expression, creating RNA copy of DNA.

Flashcard 6: Choose the mRNA sequence transcribed from DNA template $3'\text{-}TAC\text{-}5'$.

Answer: $5'\text{-}AUG\text{-}3'$. RNA sequence complementary to template with $U$ replacing $T$.

Flashcard 7: Which base in RNA pairs with adenine ($A$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Uracil ($U$). RNA contains uracil instead of thymine found in DNA.

Flashcard 8: What is the role of transcription in protein synthesis?

Answer: It produces mRNA that carries coding information to ribosomes. Links DNA genetic code to protein synthesis machinery.

Flashcard 9: What is the main function of the poly-$A$ tail on eukaryotic mRNA?

Answer: Increases mRNA stability and aids nuclear export. Prevents degradation and facilitates nuclear export of mRNA.

Flashcard 10: What are the three main stages of transcription?

Answer: Initiation, elongation, termination. Three sequential phases of the transcription process.

Flashcard 11: Which base in RNA pairs with cytosine ($C$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Guanine ($G$). Standard Watson-Crick base pairing rule for transcription.

Flashcard 12: Which codon is the typical start codon on mRNA?

Answer: AUG. Universal start signal for protein synthesis initiation.

Flashcard 13: Which RNA polymerase transcribes most mRNA genes in eukaryotic cells?

Answer: RNA polymerase II. Specific polymerase for protein-coding genes in eukaryotes.

Flashcard 14: What is the main function of the $5'$ cap on eukaryotic mRNA?

Answer: Protects mRNA and helps ribosome binding for translation. Essential for mRNA stability and efficient translation initiation.

Flashcard 15: Which codon is the typical start codon on mRNA?

Answer: AUG. Universal start signal for protein synthesis initiation.

Flashcard 16: Choose the DNA template triplet that would transcribe into mRNA codon $5'\text{-}AUG\text{-}3'$.

Answer: $3'\text{-}TAC\text{-}5'$. Template strand runs antiparallel to transcribed mRNA.

Flashcard 17: Which complex performs pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes?

Answer: The spliceosome. Ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyzes intron removal.

Flashcard 18: Which base in RNA pairs with guanine ($G$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Cytosine ($C$). Standard Watson-Crick base pairing rule for transcription.

Flashcard 19: In which direction does RNA polymerase read the DNA template strand?

Answer: In the $3'\rightarrow 5'$ direction. Template is read in opposite direction to RNA synthesis.

Flashcard 20: What is the role of a promoter in transcription?

Answer: DNA site where RNA polymerase binds to start transcription. Initiates transcription by providing binding site for polymerase.

Flashcard 21: Choose the mRNA sequence transcribed from DNA template $3'\text{-}TAC\text{-}5'$.

Answer: $5'\text{-}AUG\text{-}3'$. RNA sequence complementary to template with $U$ replacing $T$.

Flashcard 22: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $G$.

Answer: C. Complementary base pairing during RNA synthesis.

Flashcard 23: In which direction does RNA polymerase read the DNA template strand?

Answer: In the $3'\rightarrow 5'$ direction. Template is read in opposite direction to RNA synthesis.

Flashcard 24: Where does transcription occur in eukaryotic cells?

Answer: In the nucleus. Eukaryotic DNA is compartmentalized in nucleus for transcription.

Flashcard 25: What happens during transcription elongation?

Answer: RNA polymerase adds ribonucleotides to extend the RNA strand. Second phase where RNA chain grows by nucleotide addition.

Flashcard 26: Which molecule binds the promoter first in eukaryotes to help recruit RNA polymerase II?

Answer: General transcription factors. Required proteins that assemble at promoter before RNA polymerase.

Flashcard 27: What happens during transcription termination?

Answer: RNA polymerase stops and releases the RNA transcript. Final phase ending transcription and releasing RNA product.

Flashcard 28: Which enzyme catalyzes RNA synthesis during transcription?

Answer: RNA polymerase. Key enzyme that reads DNA and builds complementary RNA strand.

Flashcard 29: What is RNA processing in eukaryotes?

Answer: Modification of pre-mRNA to produce mature mRNA. Post-transcriptional modifications prepare RNA for translation.

Flashcard 30: What is the function of tRNA in relation to an mRNA transcript?

Answer: It matches anticodons to codons and delivers amino acids. Transfer RNA bridges mRNA codons with specific amino acids.

Flashcard 31: In which direction does RNA polymerase synthesize RNA?

Answer: In the $5'\rightarrow 3'$ direction. RNA is always synthesized from $5'$ to $3'$ end.

Flashcard 32: Which DNA strand has the same base sequence as the RNA transcript (except $T$ vs $U$)?

Answer: Coding (non-template) strand. Has identical sequence to RNA except thymine replaces uracil.

Flashcard 33: How does alternative splicing affect protein synthesis?

Answer: It allows one gene to produce multiple protein variants. Increases protein diversity from limited number of genes.

Flashcard 34: What modification is added to the $5'$ end of eukaryotic pre-mRNA?

Answer: A $5'$ cap (modified guanine nucleotide). Protective modification enhancing mRNA stability and function.

Flashcard 35: What is RNA splicing?

Answer: Removal of introns and joining of exons in pre-mRNA. Processing step that removes introns from pre-mRNA.

Flashcard 36: Which molecule binds the promoter first in eukaryotes to help recruit RNA polymerase II?

Answer: General transcription factors. Required proteins that assemble at promoter before RNA polymerase.

Flashcard 37: What happens during transcription elongation?

Answer: RNA polymerase adds ribonucleotides to extend the RNA strand. Second phase where RNA chain grows by nucleotide addition.

Flashcard 38: Which base in RNA pairs with guanine ($G$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Cytosine ($C$). Standard Watson-Crick base pairing rule for transcription.

Flashcard 39: What is alternative splicing?

Answer: Producing different mRNAs by joining exons in different combinations. Process creating multiple mRNA variants from single gene.

Flashcard 40: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $G$.

Answer: C. Complementary base pairing during RNA synthesis.

Flashcard 41: What is the primary product of transcription for a protein-coding gene in prokaryotes?

Answer: mRNA. Prokaryotes lack RNA processing, making mature mRNA directly.

Flashcard 42: What is the template strand of DNA in transcription?

Answer: The DNA strand read by RNA polymerase to build complementary RNA. Serves as the blueprint for RNA sequence synthesis.

Flashcard 43: Which RNA type directly serves as the template for translation?

Answer: mRNA. Messenger RNA carries genetic information to translation sites.

Flashcard 44: Where does transcription occur in prokaryotic cells?

Answer: In the cytoplasm (nucleoid region). Prokaryotes lack nucleus, so transcription occurs in cytoplasm.

Flashcard 45: What is a codon in the context of an mRNA transcript?

Answer: A three-nucleotide mRNA sequence that specifies an amino acid or stop. Basic unit of genetic code determining amino acid sequence.

Flashcard 46: What is the role of a promoter in transcription?

Answer: DNA site where RNA polymerase binds to start transcription. Initiates transcription by providing binding site for polymerase.

Flashcard 47: Which statement best distinguishes transcription from translation?

Answer: Transcription makes RNA from DNA; translation makes protein from mRNA. Transcription and translation are distinct molecular processes.

Flashcard 48: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $A$.

Answer: U. RNA uses uracil instead of thymine for adenine pairing.

Flashcard 49: What is an exon?

Answer: A coding RNA segment retained in mature mRNA. Protein-coding sequences that remain in mature mRNA.

Flashcard 50: What is a transcription terminator (termination signal)?

Answer: A DNA sequence that causes transcription to stop. Specific DNA sequence signaling end of transcription.

Flashcard 51: What is the function of rRNA in relation to an mRNA transcript?

Answer: It forms ribosomes and catalyzes peptide bond formation. Ribosomal RNA provides structure and catalytic function for translation.

Flashcard 52: What is RNA splicing?

Answer: Removal of introns and joining of exons in pre-mRNA. Processing step that removes introns from pre-mRNA.

Flashcard 53: What is the primary product of transcription for a protein-coding gene in prokaryotes?

Answer: mRNA. Prokaryotes lack RNA processing, making mature mRNA directly.

Flashcard 54: What is an exon?

Answer: A coding RNA segment retained in mature mRNA. Protein-coding sequences that remain in mature mRNA.

Flashcard 55: What are the three main stages of transcription?

Answer: Initiation, elongation, termination. Three sequential phases of the transcription process.

Flashcard 56: What is alternative splicing?

Answer: Producing different mRNAs by joining exons in different combinations. Process creating multiple mRNA variants from single gene.

Flashcard 57: Which DNA strand has the same base sequence as the RNA transcript (except $T$ vs $U$)?

Answer: Coding (non-template) strand. Has identical sequence to RNA except thymine replaces uracil.

Flashcard 58: Which base in RNA pairs with thymine ($T$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Adenine ($A$). Standard Watson-Crick base pairing rule for transcription.

Flashcard 59: What modification is added to the $3'$ end of eukaryotic pre-mRNA?

Answer: A poly-$A$ tail. Adenine nucleotides added to protect and stabilize mRNA.

Flashcard 60: What is the primary product of transcription for a protein-coding gene in eukaryotes?

Answer: Pre-mRNA (primary RNA transcript). Eukaryotes produce unprocessed RNA that requires modification.

Flashcard 61: Which enzyme catalyzes RNA synthesis during transcription?

Answer: RNA polymerase. Key enzyme that reads DNA and builds complementary RNA strand.

Flashcard 62: Which statement best distinguishes transcription from translation?

Answer: Transcription makes RNA from DNA; translation makes protein from mRNA. Transcription and translation are distinct molecular processes.

Flashcard 63: What is an intron?

Answer: A noncoding RNA segment removed from pre-mRNA. Non-coding sequences removed during RNA processing.

Flashcard 64: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $C$.

Answer: G. Watson-Crick base pairing rules for transcription.

Flashcard 65: What is transcription in the context of gene expression and protein synthesis?

Answer: Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template by RNA polymerase. First step of gene expression, creating RNA copy of DNA.

Flashcard 66: What is the primary product of transcription for a protein-coding gene in eukaryotes?

Answer: Pre-mRNA (primary RNA transcript). Eukaryotes produce unprocessed RNA that requires modification.

Flashcard 67: Which codons function as stop codons on mRNA?

Answer: UAA, UAG, UGA. Three codons that signal termination of protein synthesis.

Flashcard 68: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $T$.

Answer: A. Complementary base pairing during transcription process.

Flashcard 69: What is the template strand of DNA in transcription?

Answer: The DNA strand read by RNA polymerase to build complementary RNA. Serves as the blueprint for RNA sequence synthesis.

Flashcard 70: Which RNA type directly serves as the template for translation?

Answer: mRNA. Messenger RNA carries genetic information to translation sites.

Flashcard 71: What is a transcription terminator (termination signal)?

Answer: A DNA sequence that causes transcription to stop. Specific DNA sequence signaling end of transcription.

Flashcard 72: Which amino acid is specified by the start codon AUG?

Answer: Methionine. First amino acid incorporated into all proteins.

Flashcard 73: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $A$.

Answer: U. RNA uses uracil instead of thymine for adenine pairing.

Flashcard 74: Which RNA polymerase transcribes most mRNA genes in eukaryotic cells?

Answer: RNA polymerase II. Specific polymerase for protein-coding genes in eukaryotes.

Flashcard 75: Which complex performs pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes?

Answer: The spliceosome. Ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyzes intron removal.

Flashcard 76: What happens during transcription initiation?

Answer: RNA polymerase binds promoter and begins RNA synthesis. First phase establishes transcription machinery at promoter.

Flashcard 77: Identify the correct mRNA base added opposite a DNA template base $C$.

Answer: G. Watson-Crick base pairing rules for transcription.

Flashcard 78: In which direction does RNA polymerase synthesize RNA?

Answer: In the $5'\rightarrow 3'$ direction. RNA is always synthesized from $5'$ to $3'$ end.

Flashcard 79: Identify the correct direction for RNA synthesis: $3'\rightarrow 5'$ or $5'\rightarrow 3'$?

Answer: $5'\rightarrow 3'$. RNA polymerase always synthesizes RNA in this direction.

Flashcard 80: Which base in RNA pairs with thymine ($T$) on the DNA template during transcription?

Answer: Adenine ($A$). Standard Watson-Crick base pairing rule for transcription.

Flashcard 81: How does alternative splicing affect protein synthesis?

Answer: It allows one gene to produce multiple protein variants. Increases protein diversity from limited number of genes.

Flashcard 82: Which option best describes how prokaryotes link transcription and translation?

Answer: They can occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm. Prokaryotic coupling allows immediate translation of nascent mRNA.

Flashcard 83: What is the function of rRNA in relation to an mRNA transcript?

Answer: It forms ribosomes and catalyzes peptide bond formation. Ribosomal RNA provides structure and catalytic function for translation.