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Biology set 1 > 6.1 - Cellular Control > Flashcards

6.1 - Cellular Control Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an exon?

A

Coding part of a gene.

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2
Q

What is an intron?

A

Non-coding part of a gene.

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3
Q

Why is the term ‘junk’ DNA misleading?

A

Junk implies this DNA has no function – in truth we do not yet know the function.

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4
Q

What is a mutation?

A

A change to the base sequence.
Substitution: One or more bases are swapped for one another.
Deletion: One or more bases are removed.
Insertion: One or more bases are added.

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5
Q

How might a deletion of bases mutation affect protein functionality?

A

Deletion leads to frameshift. Changes amino acid sequence. Affects hydrogen/ionic/sulphur bonds. Changes tertiary structure of protein – so cannot function.

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6
Q

How might a mutation result in a non-functional protein?

A

Mutation causes a stop codon so transcription stopped prematurely. Mutation codes for a different amino acid to be produced - protein may/may not function.

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7
Q

When may a mutation not result in a non-functional protein?

A

Mutation codes for same amino acid to be produced due to the degenerate nature of the genetic code. Mutations that occur in the non-coding DNA regions – the introns will be removed by splicing & not be translated so have no effect on protein produced.

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8
Q

What are the causes of mutations?

A

Spontaneous during DNA replication. Mutagens - Chemicals that alter the DNA structure or high energy radiation.

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9
Q

What are the three levels that gene expression can be controlled at?

A

Transcriptional level, post-transcriptional level & post-translational level.

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10
Q

What is a promotor?

A

A region of DNA that initiates transcription (upstream) of a particular gene. Where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

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11
Q

What is a transcription factor?

A

A protein that binds to DNA to activate or repress transcription (turn genes on or off).

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12
Q

What determines whether a transcription factor can bind to DNA or not?

A

Shape – sometimes this can be altered by the binding of some molecules e.g. certain hormones & sugars.

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13
Q

Can transcription factors be controlled?

A

Yes – by the amount of certain molecules in an environment affecting transcription factor binding.

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14
Q

What are the functions of transcription factors (TF) in eukaryotic cells?

A

TF regulate gene expression - by either activating or inhibiting the binding of RNA polymerase to promoter region.
TF make sure that only certain genes in specific cell types are expressed.
TF play a role in cell differentiation & help to regulate the cell cycle and cell division.

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15
Q

What is an operon?

A

A group of genes that function as a single transcription unit.

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16
Q

What is the lac operon composed of?

A

A promoter, an operator and 3 structural genes, lacZ, lacy & lacA (produce proteins that help bacteria digest lactose).

17
Q

In the presence of glucose (absence of lactose):
What binds to the operator?
What binds to the promoter?
Does transcription of structural genes, lacZ, Y & A occur?

A

Lac repressor protein (a transcription factor).
Nothing – RNA polymerase is blocked from binding due to the repressor protein being bound to the operator.
No.

18
Q

In the presence of lactose:
Where does lactose bind & the effect?
What binds to the promoter?
What enzymes are produced as a result of transcription of lacZ, Y & A?

A

Lactose binds to the Lac repressor protein, changing its shape so can no longer bind to operator site.
RNA polymerase can now bind & begin transcription of structural genes.
β-galactosidase & lactose permease.

19
Q

What is splicing?

A

Where introns are removed from primary mRNA to make mature mRNA.

20
Q

Why is the length of the section of DNA that codes for a protein longer than the corresponding mRNA used for translation?

A

DNA contains introns – non-coding bases which are spliced out of primary mRNA in transcription to form mature mRNA.

21
Q

Why is cAMP needed by some proteins to function?

A

Some proteins are not functional straight after they have been synthesised – they need to be activated by cAMP.

22
Q

How does cAMP activate protein kinase A (PKA)?

A

PKA is an enzyme mode of 4 subunits & is inactive in this state. When cAMP binds, it causes a change in enzymes 3D structure, releasing the active subunits - PKA is now active.

23
Q

How is the production of cAMP triggered inside the cell?

A

Signalling molecule (often a hormone) binds to receptor on cell surface as complementary in shape. Receptor activates G protein. G protein activates adenyl cyclase. Activated adenyl cyclase catalyses the production of large amounts of cAMP from ATP within the cell. This results in the amplification of the first message by the secondary messenger. cAMP activates a cascade (a chain of reactions) of enzyme reactions. One signalling molecule produces many cAMP molecules, resulting in the amplification of the original signalling message.

24
Q

What are homeotic genes?

A

A group of genes that control the formation of anatomical structures in animals, plants & fungi.

25
Q

What is meant by a homeobox gene?

A

A regulatory (homeotic) gene containing a 180 base pair homeobox sequence. The homeobox codes for the homeodomain (60 amino acids) on the protein. The gene product acts as a transcription factor & binds to DNA to switch genes on or off to control body plan development.

26
Q

What are hox genes?

A

A group (cluster) of genes that control body plan development in animals (only) from anterior to posterior.

27
Q

What do the homeobox genes do?

A

Gene product binds to DNA at the start of developmental genes. This activates or represses transcription (acting as a transcription factor). This controls the production of proteins involved in the development of the body plan.

28
Q

What would be the likely result of a mutation in the homeobox gene?

A

These genes are very important - a mutation would alter body plan & is likely to be lethal.

29
Q

Name two processes that hox gene products can control.

A

Mitosis and apoptosis.

30
Q

What is meant by spatial and temporal colinearity?

A

The arrangement of hox genes on the chromosome is in the same order as they appear along the body from anterior to posterior (spatial). The genes also become active in this order (temporal).

31
Q

Why should the rate of apoptosis in an adult equal the rate of mitosis?

A

Adults are not growing.

32
Q

What happens if rate of apoptosis and mitosis are not balanced?

A

Formation of a tumour (too much mitosis).

Degeneration (too much apoptosis).

Biology set 1 (26 decks)

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