AP Biology Flashcards: Gene Expression And Cell Specialization

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Gene Expression And Cell Specialization, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP 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: Identify the process by which cells become specialized.

Answer: Cell differentiation. Cells express different genes to develop unique functions.

Flashcard 2: What is the function of the TATA box in transcription?

Answer: It is a DNA sequence indicating a start site. Promoter element that helps position RNA polymerase.

Flashcard 3: Which process follows transcription in eukaryotic cells?

Answer: RNA processing. mRNA must be processed before leaving the nucleus.

Flashcard 4: Identify the enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Answer: RNA polymerase. It reads DNA template and synthesizes complementary RNA strands.

Flashcard 5: What is an operon?

Answer: A cluster of genes under a single promoter. Allows coordinated regulation of related genes in prokaryotes.

Flashcard 6: Which process involves the removal of introns?

Answer: RNA splicing. It removes non-coding introns from pre-mRNA transcripts.

Flashcard 7: What is the genetic code and its key feature?

Answer: Set of codons; it is universal and redundant. Multiple codons can specify the same amino acid.

Flashcard 8: What is the effect of a mutation in a gene's coding sequence?

Answer: It may alter the protein's function. Changes in DNA sequence can change amino acid sequence.

Flashcard 9: State the function of the genetic code's redundancy.

Answer: Minimizes the effects of mutations. Multiple codons for one amino acid reduce mutation impact.

Flashcard 10: What is the role of spliceosomes in gene expression?

Answer: Spliceosomes remove introns from pre-mRNA. They cut out non-coding sequences from RNA transcripts.

Flashcard 11: What is a codon?

Answer: A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA. It specifies which amino acid to add during translation.

Flashcard 12: What is the genetic code and its key feature?

Answer: Set of codons; it is universal and redundant. Multiple codons can specify the same amino acid.

Flashcard 13: Identify the process that translates mRNA into a polypeptide.

Answer: Translation. It converts mRNA sequence into amino acid sequence.

Flashcard 14: Identify the enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Answer: RNA polymerase. It reads DNA template and synthesizes complementary RNA strands.

Flashcard 15: Which process converts genetic information from DNA to RNA?

Answer: Transcription. DNA serves as template to create RNA copy of gene.

Flashcard 16: Which type of RNA forms the structural and catalytic part of the ribosome?

Answer: rRNA. It's the catalytic component that forms peptide bonds.

Flashcard 17: What is a codon?

Answer: A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA. It specifies which amino acid to add during translation.

Flashcard 18: What is the role of tRNA during translation?

Answer: tRNA brings amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid matching its anticodon.

Flashcard 19: Find the complementary RNA sequence to DNA: 5'-ATCG-3'.

Answer: 5'-UAGC-3'. A pairs with U, T with A, C with G, G with C.

Flashcard 20: State the start codon used in protein synthesis.

Answer: AUG. This codon signals where protein synthesis begins.

Flashcard 21: State the function of the genetic code's redundancy.

Answer: Minimizes the effects of mutations. Multiple codons for one amino acid reduce mutation impact.

Flashcard 22: What is the role of tRNA during translation?

Answer: tRNA brings amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid matching its anticodon.

Flashcard 23: Find and correct the error: DNA is translated to RNA.

Answer: Correct: DNA is transcribed to RNA. Translation converts RNA to protein, not transcription.

Flashcard 24: What is the role of a promoter in gene expression?

Answer: A promoter initiates transcription. It's the DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds.

Flashcard 25: Which molecule is the end product of transcription?

Answer: RNA. DNA is transcribed into RNA, not protein directly.

Flashcard 26: What is meant by 'gene expression'?

Answer: Conversion of gene information into a product. When genes are transcribed and translated into proteins.

Flashcard 27: What is the outcome of alternative splicing?

Answer: Different proteins from the same gene. Increases protein diversity from limited number of genes.

Flashcard 28: What are introns and what happens to them during RNA processing?

Answer: Introns are removed from pre-mRNA. Non-coding sequences spliced out during RNA processing.

Flashcard 29: What is the role of chaperone proteins?

Answer: They assist protein folding. They prevent misfolding and help proteins reach native structure.

Flashcard 30: What is the role of transcription factors?

Answer: They regulate the transcription of genes. Proteins that control when genes are turned on/off.

Flashcard 31: State the sequence of events in protein synthesis.

Answer: Initiation, elongation, termination. The three main phases of both transcription and translation.

Flashcard 32: State the sequence of events in protein synthesis.

Answer: Initiation, elongation, termination. The three main phases of both transcription and translation.

Flashcard 33: Identify the RNA sequence transcribed from DNA: 3'-TACG-5'.

Answer: 5'-AUGC-3'. Template strand read 3' to 5' produces 5' to 3' RNA.

Flashcard 34: State the start codon used in protein synthesis.

Answer: AUG. This codon signals where protein synthesis begins.

Flashcard 35: What is the function of enhancers in gene expression?

Answer: Enhancers increase transcription rates. They bind to DNA and boost gene transcription.

Flashcard 36: What is the outcome of alternative splicing?

Answer: Different proteins from the same gene. Increases protein diversity from limited number of genes.

Flashcard 37: Identify the type of bond formed between amino acids.

Answer: Peptide bond. Covalent bond linking amino acids in protein chains.

Flashcard 38: What is the function of the TATA box in transcription?

Answer: It is a DNA sequence indicating a start site. Promoter element that helps position RNA polymerase.

Flashcard 39: What binds to an operator to regulate gene expression in prokaryotes?

Answer: Repressor protein. It blocks RNA polymerase from transcribing genes.

Flashcard 40: What is the role of chaperone proteins?

Answer: They assist protein folding. They prevent misfolding and help proteins reach native structure.

Flashcard 41: Identify the RNA sequence transcribed from DNA: 3'-TACG-5'.

Answer: 5'-AUGC-3'. Template strand read 3' to 5' produces 5' to 3' RNA.

Flashcard 42: What is the function of ribosomes in cells?

Answer: Ribosomes facilitate protein synthesis. They read mRNA and assemble amino acids into proteins.

Flashcard 43: What is the role of a promoter in gene expression?

Answer: A promoter initiates transcription. It's the DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds.

Flashcard 44: What is the purpose of the 5' cap in mRNA?

Answer: Protection and initiation of translation. Modified guanosine that protects and facilitates translation.

Flashcard 45: Which process follows transcription in eukaryotic cells?

Answer: RNA processing. mRNA must be processed before leaving the nucleus.

Flashcard 46: What is the role of spliceosomes in gene expression?

Answer: Spliceosomes remove introns from pre-mRNA. They cut out non-coding sequences from RNA transcripts.

Flashcard 47: Which type of RNA carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome?

Answer: mRNA. It's the messenger that transfers genetic information.

Flashcard 48: Which type of RNA carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome?

Answer: mRNA. It's the messenger that transfers genetic information.

Flashcard 49: What is meant by 'gene expression'?

Answer: Conversion of gene information into a product. When genes are transcribed and translated into proteins.

Flashcard 50: What is the purpose of the 5' cap in mRNA?

Answer: Protection and initiation of translation. Modified guanosine that protects and facilitates translation.

Flashcard 51: Which molecule is the end product of transcription?

Answer: RNA. DNA is transcribed into RNA, not protein directly.

Flashcard 52: Which process converts genetic information from DNA to RNA?

Answer: Transcription. DNA serves as template to create RNA copy of gene.

Flashcard 53: What is an operon?

Answer: A cluster of genes under a single promoter. Allows coordinated regulation of related genes in prokaryotes.

Flashcard 54: Which cellular organelle is the site of translation?

Answer: Ribosome. Where mRNA is decoded into polypeptide chains.

Flashcard 55: Identify the type of bond formed between amino acids.

Answer: Peptide bond. Covalent bond linking amino acids in protein chains.

Flashcard 56: What binds to an operator to regulate gene expression in prokaryotes?

Answer: Repressor protein. It blocks RNA polymerase from transcribing genes.

Flashcard 57: What is the function of a poly-A tail in mRNA?

Answer: Stability and export from the nucleus. Protects mRNA from degradation and aids nuclear export.

Flashcard 58: What are introns and what happens to them during RNA processing?

Answer: Introns are removed from pre-mRNA. Non-coding sequences spliced out during RNA processing.

Flashcard 59: What is the function of ribosomes in cells?

Answer: Ribosomes facilitate protein synthesis. They read mRNA and assemble amino acids into proteins.

Flashcard 60: What is the function of enhancers in gene expression?

Answer: Enhancers increase transcription rates. They bind to DNA and boost gene transcription.

Flashcard 61: Identify the process that translates mRNA into a polypeptide.

Answer: Translation. It converts mRNA sequence into amino acid sequence.

Flashcard 62: What is the role of transcription factors?

Answer: They regulate the transcription of genes. Proteins that control when genes are turned on/off.

Flashcard 63: What is the primary function of mRNA in gene expression?

Answer: mRNA serves as a template for protein synthesis. It carries genetic instructions from nucleus to ribosomes.

Flashcard 64: What is the function of a poly-A tail in mRNA?

Answer: Stability and export from the nucleus. Protects mRNA from degradation and aids nuclear export.

Flashcard 65: Which process involves the removal of introns?

Answer: RNA splicing. It removes non-coding introns from pre-mRNA transcripts.

Flashcard 66: Find the complementary RNA sequence to DNA: 5'-ATCG-3'.

Answer: 5'-UAGC-3'. A pairs with U, T with A, C with G, G with C.

Flashcard 67: Which type of RNA forms the structural and catalytic part of the ribosome?

Answer: rRNA. It's the catalytic component that forms peptide bonds.

Flashcard 68: What is the effect of a mutation in a gene's coding sequence?

Answer: It may alter the protein's function. Changes in DNA sequence can change amino acid sequence.

Flashcard 69: Identify the process by which cells become specialized.

Answer: Cell differentiation. Cells express different genes to develop unique functions.

Flashcard 70: Which cellular organelle is the site of translation?

Answer: Ribosome. Where mRNA is decoded into polypeptide chains.