2 Flashcards
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
A theory stating that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA to RNA to protein, or RNA directly to protein.
Chromosome
A single long DNA double helix that is packaged with proteins. The single DNA double helix in a chromosome can have hundreds or thousands of genes.
Packaging
Provides stability and organization
Prokaryotic Chromosomes
Has a single, circular chromosome. A ring of DNA is packaged with certain proteins into a coiled structure. It’s located in the nucleoid and in the cytosol.
Eukaryotic chromosomes
A single long, linear DNA double helix, “packaged” with proteins into a “noodles” chromatin fiber. Usually has multiple linear chromosomes in its nucleus. At the beginning of cell division the chromosomes condense into more compact structures.
What do Eukaryotic cells use chromosomes for?
The cell is actively expressing genes contained in the chromosomes’ DNA to make the proteins (and functional RNA molecules) needed for the cell to function.
Allele
Different variation of a gene, can lead to different variations of a trait
Gene
Specific stretch of DNA, affects traits
How can genes affect an organism’s traits?
Genes affect traits through the actions of the proteins that they encode. The order of nucleotides in a gene determines the order of amino acids in a protein. A protein’s amino acids determines its structure and its function.
Diploid Cells
Have 2 of each kind of chromosome
Haploid Cells
Have 1 of each kind of chromosome
Homologous Chromosomes
Two chromosomes of the same type, they contain the same genes but not always the same alleles
Sister Chromatids
They are two identical copies that result from replicating a chromosome.
Mitotic Cell Division
When a cell divides to make two genetically-identical copies of itself
What is mitotic cell division good for?
- Asexual reproduction of single-called eukaryotic organisms
- Growth and development
- Replacement
- Wound healing and regeneration
Mitosis
the process that divides up the DNA evenly, happens after a cell has replicated its DNA so each new cell gets a complete copy of the original cell’s DNA
Mitotic cell division
When a cell divides to make two genetically-identical copies of itself
What does mitosis do to sister chromatids?
Mitosis splits up sister chromatids so that each new cell will have one complete copy of the original cell’s genetic information (its DNA).
What are the stages of mitosis?
Prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
Mitosis: Prophase
Chromosomes condense. Centrosomes radiate microtubules and migrate to opposite poles.
Mitosis: Prometaphase
Microtubules of the mitotic spindle attach to chromosomes
Mitosis: Metaphase
Chromosomes align in center of cell
Mitosis: Anaphase
Sister chromatids (which become individual chromosomes when the centromere splits) separate and travel to opposite poles
Mitosis: Telophase
Nuclear envelope re-forms and chromosomes decondense
Meiotic Cell Division
A form of cell division that includes only one round of DNA replication but two rounds of nuclear division; meiotic cell division makes sexual reproduction possible.
Gametes
A reproductive haploid cell; gametes fuse to form a diploid zygote. In many species There are two types of gametes: eggs in females, sperm in males
How are gametes produced?
They are produced by a form of cell division called meiotic cell division.
What does meiotic cell division result in?
It results in daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
What does meiosis consist of?
It consists of one round of DNA synthesis and two rounds of cell division.
What are the differences between meiotic cell division and mitotic cell division?
- Meiotic cell division results in four daughter cells instead of two
- Each of the four daughter cells produced by meiotic cell division contains half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell instead of the same number (“meiosis” is from the Greek for “diminish” or “lessen.”)
- Each of the four daughter cells produced by meiotic cell division is genetically unique instead of genetically identical. Basically, they are genetically different from each other and the parental cell
What are the two successive cell divisions of meiotic cell division?
Meiosis I and meiosis II, they occur one after the other. Each cell division results in two cells, so that by the end of meiotic cell division a single parent cell has produced four daughter cells.
Meiosis I
Reductional division; the first stage of meiotic cell division, in which the number of chromosomes is halved from 2n to n
Meiosis II
Equational division; the second stage of meiotic cell division, in which the number of chromosomes is unchanged
What happens to homologous chromosomes during meiosis I?
Homologous chromosomes separate from each other, reducing the total number of chromosomes by half.
What happens to sister chromatids during meiosis II?
Sister chromatids separate, as in mitosis
Meiosis I: Prophase I
Chromosomes condense and homologous chromosomes pair.