6.1 Genetics And Evolution Flashcards
What are the steps of transcription?
- DNA unwinds due to action of DNA helicase
2.Template strand of DNA is used and mRNA forms as mirror image so bases still match (U replaces T)
3.mRNA leaves nucleus
What are the steps of translation?
- mRNA attaches to ribosome
- Each tRNA has complimentary anticodon to codon of the mRNA (anticodon= matching the codon of the DNA copied
- The first tRNA carries the first anticodon which forms hydrogen bonds with the start codon of the mRNA
- Second tRNA brings second amino acid and a peptide bonds form between amino acids
- Ribosome moves along the mRNA
- The first tRNA (now without amino acid) is released and this continues along the chain until a stop codon is reached
What is the definition of a mutation?
A change in the sequence of an amino acid
When do mutations occur?
Randomly during cell division (usually during DNA replication)
What is the definition of a mutagen?
Chemical,physical or biological agents that cause mutations
What is a nonsense mutation?
A stop codon is produced causing a shortened protein to be synthesised
What is a missense mutation?
An incorrect amino acid being incorporated
What are the three types of mutation?
Silent- (no effect) proteins still functional
Damaging- Protein isnt synthesised or non functional
Beneficial- Protein synthesised may give useful characteristics
What are the three types of point mutation?
Substitution,addition or deletion of a nucleotide base
What is a chromosome mutation?
Mutations that affect large regions of DNA within chromosomes
What feature of a DNA molecule is changed as a result of mutation?
The sequence of nucleotides
What are the possible effects of a mutation on the structure and function of a protein?
- Sequence of amino acids can alter tertiary and quarternery structure
- Can cause it to fold into a different shape which means if it has an active site it may be non functional
- Or it may have no effect or a beneficial effect
What is apoptosis?
Programmed cell death (controlled)
What is necrosis?
Damaged cell death (occurs after trauma)
What is the sequence of apoptosis?
- Enzymes break down cell cytoskeleton
- Cytoplasm becomes dense with organelles tightly packed
- Cell surface membrane changes and small bits called blobs form
- Chromatin condense and nuclear envelope breaks (DNA fragments)
- Cell breaks into vesicles and engulfed by phagocytes
How is apoptosis controlled?
Range of cell signals
- Cytokines
- Hormones
- Growth factors
- Nitric oxide
How does nitric oxide bring about apoptosis?
Makes membrane more permeable to H+ ions
What happens if apoptosis is not balanced?
Too much= cell loss and degeneration
Not enough= leads to formation of tumours
Where is the lac operon found?
In e-coli
What is an operon?
A length of DNA coding for proteins and control sites
How do proteins in the lac operon get induced?
In the presence of lactose =
What are the requirements for lactose digestion and why are these not made all the time?
- Transport protein for for the uptake of lactose across the cell membrane
- Requires an enzyme to break lactose into galactose and glucose
- In absence of lactose this would be a waste
What are structural genes and what are they in the lac operon?
- Encode proteins involved in uptake and utilisation of lactose
- Known as Z (beta galactosidase) and Y (Lactose permease)
What is the purpose of the operator in the lac operon?
Can turn structural genes on and off
What is the purpose of the promoter?
Length of DNA where RNA polymerase binds
What is the purpose of a regulatory gene?
To encode a repressor protein
Not part of the operon
What’s is the sequence of events in a non induced operon?
1.Regulatory gene is expressed and repressor protein is synthesised
2. RP binds to operator and blocks part of promoter so RNA polymerase cannot bind
3. Genes are not transcribed and Beta galactosidase and lactose permease are not expressed
Why is no transcription of structure genes in the absence of lactose good?
Saves energy for cell and cell resources such as amino acids
What is the sequence of events with an induced operon?
1.The regulatory gene is expressed and represssor protein is synthesised
2. Lactose binds to repressor so protein changes shape and cannot bind
3. RNA polymerase can bind to promoter
4. MRNA is then transcipted and transcribed for proteins Z and Y
5. Beta galactosidase and lactose permease are expressed
What happens if both glucose and lactose are present around e-coli but glucose conc is low.
- Levels of CAMP are high and readily binds with CAP
- CAP- CAMP complex binding leads to enhanced RNA polymerase binding
- High rate if transcription and translation of lac operon structural genes
- Leads to production of glucose from lactose