bio exam - old material

Question 1

What is the central dogma of information flow?

Answer 1

DNA -> RNA -> protein

Question 2

What is a gene?

Answer 2

the basic physical and functional unit of heredity

Question 3

Transcription

Answer 3

The process of making an RNA copy of a genes DNA sequence

Question 4

Transcription initiation

Answer 4

The phase during which the RNA chain are synthesized

Question 5

Transcription elongation

Answer 5

The stage when the RNA strand gets longer, thanks to the addition of new nucleotides

Question 6

Transcription termination

Answer 6

polymerase releases the DNA template and the nascent RNA

Question 7

Where does transcription happen in the cell?

Answer 7

Cytoplasm

Question 8

How does RNA polymerase find the start of the gene?

Answer 8

RNA polymerase binds to the DNA of the gene at the promoter

Question 9

What is the difference between the template strand and the non-template strand?

Answer 9

the template strand can duplicate itself during mRNA synthesis the non-template strand is the same as the new RNA molecule.

Question 10

What is complementary base pairing?

Answer 10

The standard arrangement of bases in nucleotides in relation to their opposite pairing
For example: Adenine and cytosine

Question 11

Translation

Answer 11

the process through which information encoded in messenger RNA directs the addition of amino acids during protein synthesis

Question 12

what is a codon and what does it code for?

Answer 12

three nucleotides that encodes one amino acid

The genetic code shows which mRNA codons correspond to which amino acids

Question 13

what is tRNA (transfer RNA)?

Answer 13

“connectors” that carry each amino acid to the correct spot along the mRNA molecule.
-> “translates” the genetic code

Question 14

what is rRNA (ribosomal RNA)?

Answer 14

molecule that stitches together amino acids and forms ribosomes

Question 15

why is the order of the nucleotides in the mRNA important to the protein it codes for?

Answer 15

so the cell can make many molecules of protein all at once

Question 16

what’s the chemical formula for respiration?

Answer 16

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
(glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water)

Question 17

Glycolysis: starting and ending materials, energy consumed or generated, overall function?

Answer 17

Starts: one molecule of glucose
Ends: two pyruvate molecules
Consumed or generated: Consumed in the form of ATP
Overall function: provide pyruvate for the (TCA) cycle

Question 18

Kreb’s cycle: starting and ending materials, energy consumed or generated, overall function?

Answer 18

Starts: acetyl-CoA
Ends: oxaloacetic acid
Consumed or generated: generated
Overall function: to produce energy stored and transported as ATP

Question 19

What’s the electron transport chain?

Answer 19

a series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors

Question 20

Carbon skeleton

Answer 20

The pattern in which the carbon atoms are bonded together in a molecule

Question 21

What is the chemical formula for photosynthesis?

Answer 21

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose and oxygen

Question 22

Outline the general process of the Calvin Cycle

Answer 22

carbon fixation
reduction
regeneration of the starting molecule

Question 23

Why must the 5-carbon RuBP be remade at the end of the cycle?

Answer 23

to regenerate the RuBP acceptor