2. Genes Flashcards
5’ –> 3’ Directionality
How DNA is written. The end 3’ carbon is attached to an OH group and the 5’ carbon end is attached to a phosphate group.
Activators and Repressors Proteins
Proteins that that regulate gene expression at transcription level. They bind to DNA close to promoter to activate or repress activity of RNA polymerase. Allosterically regulated by small molecules like cAMP.
Adenine (A)
one of the 4 nitrogenous base of DNA and RNA.
Anaphase
Sister chromatids split at centromeres and move toward opposite ends of the cell towards the centrioles. Cytokinesis also happens here.
Anaphase I
Separates the homologues from their partners.
Anaphase II
In females, activated when sperm penetrate secondary oocyte.
Anneal
PCR. Mixture is cooled, primers hybridize to complementary ends of the DNA strands.
Anticodon
set of neucleotides that is complementary to the codon, found on tRNA.
Antiparallel
The second strand of DNA, in a 3’ –> 5’ direction from the other strand going 5’ –> 3’. Bonded by hydrogen bonds between the bases.
Antisense Strand
The template strand that is translated from DNA to RNA. The nontranslated strand (called coding strand or sense strand) is the same sequence as the RNA strand.
Base-Pair Substitution Mutation
One bp is replaced by another. Transition or Transversion.
Base-Pairing (BP)
Length of DNA strand. Hydrogen bonds between the bases of the two strands of DNA double helix. A=T and C=G
Backward Mutation
Already mutated organism is reverted back to previous stage, typically its original state.
Bidirectional Replication
DNA replication is in both directions starting from the origin of replication.
Carcinogens
Mutagens that can cuase cancer.
Centromeres
group of proteins located toward the center of the chromosome
Centrioles
Inside centrosomes. Connected by spindle microtubles.
Centrosomes
There are two that moves to opposite ends of the cell when prophase begins.
Chiasma
A point where the two chromosomes are attached creating an “x” shape.
Chromatids
Each chromosome is made of two identical sister chromatids during the S phase.
Chromatin
the DNA/protein (histones) complex.
Chromosomal Mutation
Structure of a chromosome is changed.
Chromosome
A numbered Chromatin. There are 46.
Clone
Multiplied copy of the bacteria containing the vector (recombinant DNA).
Clone Library
To make a DNA library, take your DNA fragment (recombinant DNA), use a vector to insert it into a bacterium, and reproduce that bacterium like crazy. Now there are clones of bacteria with your DNA fragment.
Codon
Three consecutive nucleotide on mRNA that would translate into one AA.
Complementary DNA (cDNA)
The DNA that was reverse transcribed from mRNA. Add DNA polymerase and you get a double strand of DNA. This DNA contains no introns, since the mRNA was processed to take out the introns. Very helpful in science.
Complementary Strands
Two strands have to match up so that A can bind with T and C can bind with G.
Consensus Sequence
The most commonly found nucleotide sequence of a promoter recognized by the RNA polyermase of a given species. Variations causes RNA polymerase to bind less tightly and leff oten, making the genes transcribed less = less expressed.
Crossing Over
When homologous chromosomes exchange DNA sequences.
Cytokinesis
The actual separation of the cellular cytoplasm due to constriction of microfilaments about the center of the cell. Occurs in anaphase.
Cytosine
one of the 4 nitrogenous base of DNA and RNA.
Degenerative
More than one series of three nucleotide may code for any AA.
Deletion of BP
When bp is taken out of the sequence. May result in frameshift.
Deletion of Chromosome
Portion of the chromosome breaks off or loss during homologous recombination and/or crossing over.
Denatured
aka Melted. The two strands of DNA comes apart because the agent has disrupted their hydrogen bonds. About 95C is sufficient to denature any DNA sequence. Denatured DNA is LESS viscous, DENSER, and MORE able to absorb UV light.
Diploid
Means the cell has homologous pairs. 23 pairs, 46 chromosomes.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Nucleotides in chain.
DNA Helicase
Part of the replisome. Unwinds double helix and separate the double stranded DNA.
DNA Ligase
Enzyme that moves along the lagging strand to connect the okazaki fragments.
DNA Polymerase
Add nucleotides to an existing strand abd builds the new DNA strand. An enzyme. Reads original DNA strand in 3’->5’ making a 5’-3’ new strand. Exonulcease function, where it proofreads and remove wrong nucleotides. Nucleotides are added by hydrolysis of two phosphates group. This energy drives replication.
Duplications of Chromosome
DNA fragment breaks free of one chromosome and incorporates into a homologous chromosome. A form of mutation.
Double Helix
What the binding of the two complementary strands look like. The look of DNA. There are the major groove and the minor groove. Each groove spirals once around the double helix for every 10 bp.
Elongation
Second step of transcription. RNA polymerase transcribes a strand of DNA into RNA sequences.
Euchromatin
Areas where genes are actively being transcribed. Only in euk.
Exons
Linked together after introns are taken out. Makes the mature mRNA. Leaves nucleus to be translated to proteins.Avg number of exons per gene is 7. Sequences of DNA that code for exons are also called exons.
Five Steps of Replication
1) Helicase unzips the double helix 2) RNA polymerase builds a primer 3) DNA polymerase assembles leading and lagging strands 4) Primers are removed 5) Okazaki fragments joined (by DNA ligase)
Forward Mutation
An already mutated organism that is further mutated.
Frameshift Mutation
Deletions or Insertions occuring in multiples other than 3. Likely to result in completely nonfunctional protein.
Gametes (Germ Cells)
Product of meiosis.
Gene
DNA sequence that codes for rRNA, tRNA, mRNA. Gene is inherited.
Gene Expression in Prok vs. Euk
Prok: primary fxn is to respond to environmental changes. Euk: primay fxn is to keep at homeostasis. To control the intra- and extracellular environments of the cell.
Genetic Code
Nucleotide sequence (DNA) –> AA sequence (protein)
Genetic Recombination
Occurs during crossing over.
Genome
The entire DNA sequence of an organism. Only 1% of human genome codes for protein.
Guanine (G)
one of the 4 nitrogenous base of DNA and RNA.
Haploid
Cell that DOES NOT contain homologues.
Heterochromatin
Areas where genes are tightly packed, not really transcribed. Only in euk.
Histones
DNA that are not in used are wrapped tightly around these globular proteins.
Homologues
Two chromosomes that are partners and codes for the same traits. Humans have 23 pairs.
Initiation
First step of transcription. A group of proteins (initiation factors) finds a promotor on DNA strand and assembles a transcription initiation complex including the RNA polymerase.
Initiation Complex
small subunit, tRNA with meth AA signalling for the large subunit to join forming this complex.
Insertion
When bp is added into the sequence. May result in frameshift.
Interphase
Includes G1, S and G2.
Introns
Cut out from primary transcript mRNA. Stays in nucleus and gets degraded. Introns are usually longer than exons. Sequences of DNA that code for introns are also called introns.
Inversion Mutation
Orientation of a section of DNA is reversed on a chromosome.
Kinetochore
Protein structure and DNA located at the centromere of the joined chromatids of each chromosome.
Lagging Strang
Strand made of okazaki fragments.