8.1 & 8.2 DNA, Genes and Chromosomes Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the structure of DNA in a eukaryotic cell

A
  • linear DNA that exists as a protein
  • the DNA is really long so it has to be wound up around histone proteins so it can fit in the nucleus
  • DNA and the histone protein is then coiled up tightly to make a compact chromosome
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2
Q

Describe the DNA found in mitochondria and chloroplasts

A
  • short and circular
  • is not associated with proteins
  • similar to prokaryotic DNA
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3
Q

Describe the structure of DNA in a prokaryotic cell

A
  • DNA is short and circular and are carried as chromosomes
  • isn’t associated with proteins
  • fits into the nucleus by supercoiling
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4
Q

What is a gene?

A

Base sequence of DNA that codes for:
- amino acid sequence of a polypeptide
- functional RNA such as rRNA and tRNA

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5
Q

What is a locus?

A

The fixed position on a particular DNA molecule that a gene occupies

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6
Q

What is a triplet?

A

A sequence of 3 DNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid

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7
Q

What is the genetic code?

A

The sequence of base triplets (codons) in mRNA which code for specific amino acids

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8
Q

List 3 important things about the genetic code

A
  1. Universal
  2. Degenerate
  3. Overlapping
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9
Q

If a gene doesn’t code for a polypeptide, what does it code for?

A

A functional RNA

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10
Q

What is a codon?

A

The sequence of three bases on mRNA that codes for a single amino acid

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11
Q

What is an intron?

A
  • section of a gene that doesn’t code for amino acids
  • there can be several in one gene
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12
Q

What is an exon?

A
  • a section of a gene that do code for amino acids
  • what is needed for protein synthesis
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13
Q

Do prokaryotic cells have introns?

A

No

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14
Q

What is an allele?

A
  • one of a number of alternative forms of a gene
  • order of bases in each allele is slightly different so they code for different versions of the same polypeptide
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