StudyXY
RegisterLog in
Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 7.2 Transcription Part 1

Biology IB HL - 7.2 Transcription Part 1

Biology25 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This flashcard deck covers key concepts of transcription in biology, including the roles of genes, promoters, RNA polymerase, and the transcription process in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

PrintEmbedImportReport

What is a gene?

A gene is a sequence of DNA which is transcribed into RNA and contains three main parts:
Tap or swipe ↕ to flip
Swipe ←→Navigate
1/25

Key Terms

Term
Definition
What is a gene?
A gene is a sequence of DNA which is transcribed into RNA and contains three main parts:
What is a promoter?
The non-coding sequence responsible for the initiation of transcription
Where is the core promoted located?
The core promoter is typically located immediately upstream of the gene’s coding sequence
What is the function of the promoter?
The promoter functions as a binding site for RNA polymerase (the enzyme responsible for transcription)
What mediates the binding of RNA polymerase?
The binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter is mediated and controlled by an array of transcription factors in eukaryotes
Where do transcription factors bind?
These transcription factors bind to either proximal control elements (near the promoter) or distal control elements (at a distance)
Log in to view all terms

Related Flashcard Decks

Biology

A-LEVEL PE (OCR): PAPER 3 - Ethics and Deviance in Sport

These flashcards describe key performance-enhancing methods, including blood doping—a technique used to increase red blood cell count and oxygen-carrying capacity, commonly by endurance athletes—and anabolic steroids, which boost strength, aggression, and training capacity. They highlight how these methods aim to enhance performance, often through artificial physiological manipulation.

21 cards
View Deck
Biology

A-LEVEL PE (OCR): PAPER 1 - Energy for Exercise

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts of cellular energy, including ATP as the primary energy source for muscular contraction, the role of the enzyme ATPase in ATP breakdown, and the definition of exothermic reactions that release energy. They provide a concise overview of how energy is produced and utilized in biological systems.

47 cards
View Deck
Biology

3MB Psychiatry: Neurobiology of Mood

This flashcard set explains the brain’s appetitive (approach) and aversive (defensive) mood systems, describing how they drive behaviour toward reward or avoidance of threat, and identifies the key neurotransmitters associated with each—dopamine for approach and serotonin for avoidance.

8 cards
View Deck
Biology

Psychology - Chapter 3 Biological Psychology Part 3

This deck covers key concepts from Chapter 3 of Biological Psychology, focusing on brain structures and their functions, including the occipital lobe, limbic system, brain stem, and nervous systems.

23 cards
View Deck
Biology

Psychology - Chapter 3 Biological Psychology Part 2

This flashcard deck covers key concepts from Chapter 3 of Biological Psychology, focusing on neurotransmitters, brain structures, and their functions.

25 cards
View Deck
Biology

Animal Behaviour - Applied Cat Ethology

In applied cat ethology, behavioural genetics are primarily inherited through the paternal line. This means certain behavioural traits, such as temperament or sociability, can be strongly influenced by the genetics of the sire (father).

56 cards
View Deck

Study Tips

  • Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
  • Review cards regularly to improve retention
  • Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
  • Share this deck with friends to study together
Biology IB HL - 7.2 Transcription Part 1
TermDefinition
What is a gene?
A gene is a sequence of DNA which is transcribed into RNA and contains three main parts:
What is a promoter?
The non-coding sequence responsible for the initiation of transcription
Where is the core promoted located?
The core promoter is typically located immediately upstream of the gene’s coding sequence
What is the function of the promoter?
The promoter functions as a binding site for RNA polymerase (the enzyme responsible for transcription)
What mediates the binding of RNA polymerase?
The binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter is mediated and controlled by an array of transcription factors in eukaryotes
Where do transcription factors bind?
These transcription factors bind to either proximal control elements (near the promoter) or distal control elements (at a distance)
What happens once RNA polymerase has bound to the promoter?
After RNA polymerase has bound to the promoter, it causes the DNA strands to unwind and separate
What is the coding sequence?
The region of DNA that is transcribed by RNA polymerase is called the coding sequence
When will RNA polymerase finish transcription?
RNA polymerase will continue to transcribe the DNA until it reaches a terminator sequence
Is the mechanism for transcriptional termination in eukaryotes and prokaryotes the same?
NO The mechanism for transcriptional termination differs between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
What is the antisense strand?
The antisense strand is the strand that is transcribed into RNA
What is the antisense strand’s sequence relation to the transcribed strand?
Its sequence is complementary to the RNA sequence and will be the “DNA version” of the tRNA anticodon sequence
What is another name for the antisense strand?
The antisense strand is also referred to as the template strand
What is the sense strand?
The sense strand is the strand that is not transcribed into RNA
What is the sense strand’s sequence relation to the transcribed strand?
Its sequence will be the “DNA version” of the RNA sequence (i.e. identical except for T instead of U)
What is another name for the sense strand?
The sense strand is also referred to as the coding strand (because it is a DNA copy of the RNA sequence)
Is a specific strand always anti/sense?
NO Either of the 2 polynucleotide strands may contain a gene, and hence the determination of sense and antisense is gene-specific
What is transcription?
Transcription is the process by which a DNA sequence (gene) is copied into a complementary RNA sequence by RNA polymerase
What is the first step of transcription?
Free nucleotides exist in the cell as nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs), which line up opposite their complementary base partner
How are the NTP’s joined? transcription
RNA polymerase covalently binds the NTPs together in a reaction that involves the release of the two additional phosphates
In what direction does transcription occur?
The 5’-phosphate is linked to the 3’-end of the growing mRNA strand, hence transcription occurs in a 5’ → 3’ direction
What are the 3 main steps of transcription?
The process of transcription can be divided into three main steps: initiation, elongation and termination
What occurs during initiation?
In initiation, RNA polymerase binds to the promoter and causes the unwinding and separating of the DNA strands
What occurs during elongation?
Elongation occurs as the RNA polymerase moves along the coding sequence, synthesising RNA in a 5’ → 3’ direction
What occurs during termination?
When RNA polymerase reaches the terminator, both the enzyme and nascent RNA strand detach and the DNA rewinds