4. Genetic Information, Variation & Realtionships Between Organisms Flashcards
Define : chromosome
A thread like structure made up of protein (eg: histones) & DNA by which hereditary information is physically passed from one generation to the next
Define : gene
Small section of DNA on a chromosome that controls a feature by coding for formation of one or more specific polypeptides or a functional RNA
Define : allele
A version of a gene with a different base sequence and therefore different code
What are the 2 main types of allele
Dominant (functioning)
Recessive (non-functional)
What are the 4 features of a genetic code
It’s a triplet code
It’s a degenerate code
It’s a non-overlapping code
It’s a universal code
Explain what is meant by degenerate code and why is it vital?
Means that most amino acids are coded for by more than 1 triplet
Vital to protect against point mutations (a change in a single base)
Why is the last base of 3 called the wobble base
It’s less likely to cause a harmful effect if mutated
Why is the genetic code being a non-overlapping code useful.
Each nucleotide is part of only one codon - mutation can only affect one codon
Compare and contrast dna in prokaryotes with dna in eukaryotes
In prokaryotic cells (eg. bacteria):
-DNA molecules are shorter, circular DNA and are not associated with protein molecules so do not have chromosomes
In eukaryotic cells:
-DNA molecules are larger, linear and associate with proteins (histones) so form chromosomes
-Enclosed in a nucleus
Describe the dna in mitochondria and chloroplasts
DNA is short and circular and not associated with proteins (histones)
Describe how DNA is packaged in eukaryotic chromosomes
A single length of dna is wrapped many times around lots of proteins called HISTONES to form NUCLEOSOMES.
These nucleosomes then coil up tightly to create CHROMATIN LOOPS which are wrapped around eachother to make a full CHROMOSOME
To protect the ends of the chromosomes, there are sections of dna called TELOMERES
Why can much of eukaryotic DNA be considered non-coding ?
Genes are only found on one strand of the DNA molecule. This is known as the sense strand
The other strand is known as the anti sense stand.
Not all the sense strand is coding (non coding regions are known as introns)
There are also base sequences between genes that are non-coding called minisatellites
What way does the sense strand run?
5’ to 3’
What is the anti sense strand also referred to as ?
Non-coding or template strand
What are minisatellites ?
What are they useful for?
Sections of repeated bases that aren’t transcribed
They vary enormously in number and size between individuals which allows for those non-coding regions to provide the basis of genetic fingerprinting for paternity tests and criminal investigations
What does it mean by the genetic code being universal ?
With no exceptions, each triplet codes for the same amino acid in all organisms.
Indirect evidence for evolution
How does the coded information on the dna in the nucleus get transferred to the cytoplasm where it is translates into proteins?
Sections of the dna code are transcribed onto a single stranded molecule called mRNA
(can leave through nuclear pores)
Define : codon
Refers to the sequence of three bases on mRNA that codes for a single amino acid
Define: genome
The complete set of genes in a cell, including those in mitochondria and/or chloroplasts
Define : proteome
The full range of proteins produced by the genome
Describe the structure of RNA
Forms a single strand
Each nucleotide is made up of :
The pentose sugar RIBOSE
One of the organic bases adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil
A phosphate group
What are the two types of RNA important for protein synthesis
mRNA
tRNA
Describe the structure of mRNA
Long strand of nucleotides arranged in a single helix.
The base sequence of mRNA is determined by sequence of bases on the length of DNA in a process called transcription
Describe the structure of tRNA
Relatively small molecule that is made up of ~80 nucleotides.
It is a single stranded chain folded into a clover leaf shape, with one end of the chain extending beyond the other ( the part when are amino acid can attach )
At the opposite end of the tRNA molecule is a sequence of 3 other organic bases known as the anticodon
What happens at the anticodon ?
Anticodon is for complimentary base pairing with the codon of mRNA
Give a basic overview of the steps of polypeptide synthesis
DNA provides instructions in the form of a long sequence of bases
A complementary section of part of their sequence is made from a molecules called premRNA
The pre mRNA is spliced to produce mRNA
mRNA is used as a template to which complementary tRNA molecules attach and the amino acids they carry are linked forming a polypeptide
Give the full step by step process of transcription
- DNA helicase acts on a specific region of the DNA causing the 2 strands to separate& expose the nucleotide bases of that region
- The bases on the template strand (5’ to 3’) pair with the complementary free nucleotides
- RNA polymerase then moves along the strand and join nucleotides together to form a pre-mRNA molecule.
- As this occurs the DNA strands rejoin behind it (so only few bases are exposed at any one time)
- When the RNA polymerase reaches a particular sequence of bases recognised as the ‘stop’ codon, it detaches and production of pre-mRNA is complete
What way does the non sense / template strand run?
3’ to 5’
In which cells does splicing of pre-mRNA occur and why?
Eukaryotic cells !
In prokaryotic cells, transcription results directly in the production of mRNA whereas in eukaryotes transcription results in pre-mRNA because only DNA in eukaryotic cells have non-coding regions (introns) within a gene.
How does the splicing of pre-mRNA work?
The DNA of a gene in eukaryotic cells is made from sections called exons and sections called introns
The introns would prevent the synthesis of a polypeptide so they are removed by restriction endonucleases
The functional exons are rejoined by the enzyme ligase
Forms mRNA
What happens to the mRNA between when it’s formed in the nucleus and when it is ready for translation ?
mRNA molecules are too big to diffuse out of the nucleus and so they leave through nuclear pores
mRNA is attracted to ribosomes, it attaches and is ready for translation
Give the full step by step process of translation
- A ribosome attaches to starting codon at one end of the mRNA molecule
- The tRNA molecule with the complimentary anticodon sequence pairs with the codon on the mRNA. Also carries a specific amino acid
- Ribosome moves along the mRNA bringing together 2 tRNA molecules at any one time each pairing with the 2 corresponding codons on the mRNA
- The 2 amino acids on the tRNA are joined by a peptide bond using an enzyme and ATP
- Ribosome continues to next codon on the mRNA linking the amino acids at it goes
- As this happens the tRNA is released from its amino acids
(Process continues - up to 15 amino acids added each second)
(Up to 50 ribosomes can pass immediately behind the first so many identical polypeptides can be assembled simultaneously) - Synthesis continues until ribosome meets a stop codon - polypeptide is complete
Explain how genes effectively control the activity of the cell
DNA sequence of triplets makes up a gene —-> sequence of codons on mRNA —-> order in which the tRNA molecules line up —-> sequence of amino acids in polypeptide.
Mean that gene precisely determine which protein a cell manufactures and because many of these proteins are enzymes, genes effectively control the activity of the cell
Define : splicing
Removal of introns and rejoining of exons
Define : exons
Base sequence that Code for a polypeptide (primary structure)
Define : introns
Sections of non-sense DNA that don’t code for proteins
Define : anticodon
Sequence of 3 adjacent nucleotides on a molecule of tRNA that is complementary to a particular codon on a molecule of mRNA
Compare and contrast semi conservative replication and transcription
Both use DNA helicase
Transcription copies one strand, semi conservative replication reads 2 strands
Transcription uses RNA polymerase, semi conservative replication uses DNA polymerase
Semi conservative replication uses more checking mechanisms (eg. Integrase )
Why is RNA being single stranded significant
Due to it being single stranded it is more chemically unstable- polypeptide synthesis will not continue indefinitely
Define : mutation
Any change to the quantity or base sequence of the DNA of an organism
Where do mutations occur ?
Most mutations occurs in somatic (body) cells & are not passed on
Only mutations that occur during the formation of gametes may be inherited
What are gene mutations
Any change to one or more of the nucleotide bases/sequence.
They can arise spontaneously during DNA replication and include base substitution & deletion
What is base substitution
The type of gene mutation in which a nucleotide in a DNA molecule is replaced by another nucleotide that has a different base
What is the effect of base substitution
The substitution of a base = change to the codon which results in production of a different amino acid
The significance of the change of one amino acid in the polypeptide chain will, depend on the precise role of the original amino acid
However due to the degenerate nature of the genetic code, the effect of the mutation is different if the new codon codes for the same amino acid as before = same polypeptide chain will form (mutation will have no effect )
What is base deletion
Arises when a nucleotide is lost form the normal DNA sequence (consequences can be considerable)