2.3 The Genetic Code Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is a gene?

A

A section of DNA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does each gene code for?

A

A specific polypeptide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What do bases code for?

A

Amino acids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does the order of bases in a gene determine?

A

The order of amino acids and as a result, the type of polypeptide made

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a codon?

A

A sequence of 3 bases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What else is a codon called?

A

A triplet or base triplet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why is it important that different proteins have a different number and order of amino acids?

A

It gives them a different shape and thus allows them to carry out their function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is each amino acid coded for by?

A

One codon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How many amino acids have a single codon?

A

Very few

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Give an example of an amino acid coded for by single codon?

A

Methionine which is only coded for by ATG

This is the start codon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The genetic code is…

A
  • degenerate
  • universal
  • non overlapping
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does it mean that the genetic code is degenerate? Why?

A
  • Most amino acids have more than 1 codon

- as there are more possible combinations (64) than there are amino acids (20)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does it mean that the genetic code is universal?

A

The same codons are used for the same amino acids in all living organisms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does it mean that the genetic code is non overlapping?

A

Each base is only read once, no base is shared between triplets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where are start and stop codons found?

A

At the beginning and end of each gene

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the three stop codons?

A

UAG
UAA
UGA

17
Q

What is the start codon?

A

ATG (methionine)

18
Q

What happens to the start codon later in the process of forming a polypeptide?

A

It is removed as it doesn’t form part of the polypeptide

19
Q

In what direction is he triplet code always read?

A

Three prime to five prime

20
Q

What is the genetic code of an organism?

A

The sequence of bases along its DNA