3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms Flashcards
explain how DNA is in eukaryotes
long
linear
associated with proteins called histones
what protein is associated with DNA in eukaryotes
histones
exxplain how DNA is in prokaryotes
short
circular
not associated with proteins
which two organelles have their own DNA
mitochondria and chloroplast
describe the DNA found in the mitochondria or chloroplast
short
circular
not associated with proteins
what are genes
sequence of DNA that codes for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide. and a functional RNA
what things can DNA code for
- the amino acid sequence in a polypeptide
- a functional RNA
what is a locus
a fixed position occupied by a gene on a particular DNA molecule
what can a DNA molecule and a histone form
a chromosome
what are three DNA bases called
triplet
why is the genetic code reffered to as universal
the same DNA base triplet can code for the same amino acids in all living organisms
what does a triplet code for
amino acids
why is the genetic code reffered to as non-overlapping
discretee, each base can only be used once and in only one triplet
why is the genetic code reffered to as degenerate
the same amino acids can be coded for by more than one base triplet
what is the area that cant code for polypeptides called between genes
non codding multiple repeats
define the term exon (1 mark)
nucleotides/bases/ triplet sequence that codes for an amino acid sequence
what are introns
non coding piece of DNA
what is a genome
the complete set of genes in a cell
what is a proteome
the full range of proteins a cell is able to produce
what are alleles
differrent versions of the same gene
what are homologus chromosomes
chromosomes with the same genes but different alleles
describe the structure of mRNA
- straight chain molecule
what is mRNA
made by transcription
acts as a template forr translation in the cytoplasm
what is the anticodon
bases that are complimentary to mRNA codon
what is tRNA
carries an amino acid
and has an amino binding site
describe the structure of transfer RNA
a single polynucleotide
folded hairpin loop
held together by hydrogen bonds
what are the similarities between mRNA and tRNA
both single polynucleotide strands
what are the differences between mRNA and tRNA
- mRNA is a single helix, whereas tRNA folded into clover shape.
- mRNA is longer, whereas tRNA is shorter
- mRNA contains no paired bases and hydrogen bonds, whereas tRNA has some bases and hydrogen bonds
where does transcription occur
nucleus
describe the role of DNA helicase in transcription
double stranded DNA is unzipped and hydrogen bonds are broken
what is the next step after the hydrogen bonds are broken
free RNA nucleotides bind to the exposed bases by complimentary base pairing