2.1, 2.2 Introduction To DNA and precision med Flashcards
What is a DNA molecule and its function? (3)
- Deoxyribonucleic acid
- Double helix
- Contains genes - Length of DNA that codes for a protein
How is DNA packaged to form a chromosome?
- DNA wrapped around a histone forming ‘beads on a string’
- Further compressed into a solenoid
- Further folds to form our chromosome
What is a piece of DNA wrapped around a singular histone called?
A nucleosome
What is chromatin?
DNA + histone proteins
Describe the structure, function and colour on microscopy of heterochromatin (2)
- Solenoid form of DNA and histones
- Genes are not expressed
- Darker
Describe the structure, function and colour on microscopy of euchromatin (2)
- Beads on a string
- Genes are expressed
- Lighter
What are genes?
- Distinct sequence of nucleotides that carry a code for proteins
What is the human genome?
Entire DNA sequence in humans i.e. Humans - 23 pairs of chromosomes
What are autosomes and how many do we have? (2)
- Chromosomes that contain genes that relate to anything but sex determination
- We have 22 autosomal pairs (i.e. 44) and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (i.e 2)
Name and describe the structure of the two pentose sugars that can be found within our bodies. Where are these located?
- Ribose - pentose sugar with OH group on 2nd Carbon within ring - located in RNA
- Deoxyribose - pentose sugar with H group on 2nd carbon within ring - located in DNA
What is the difference between a nucleotide and nucleoside?
Nucleotide - phosphate + sugar + base
Nucleoside - sugar + base
What are the two types of nitrogenous bases, name the base pairs that associate with them and how many rings each base has.
- Purines - Adenine, Guanine - 2 rings
2. Pyramidines - Thymine, Cytosine, Uracil - 1 ring
How many hydrogen bonds do the base pairs A and T and G and C make?
A and T - 2
G and C - 3
Describe the two DNA strands that bond together forming our DNA molecule.
- DNA strands are COMPLEMENTARY
- run ANTI-PARALLEL to each other
- By convention, top strand always written 5’ to 3’
What bonds join nucleotides to each other forming the DNA strands? What parts of the nucleotide make this bond? (2)
- Phosphodiester bonds
- 3’ Carbon to the oxygen to the Phosphate
- Distinct ends, 5’ Phosohate and 3’ OH