Biochemistry of RNA

Question 1

What type of bonding is present in RNA?

Answer 1

Intramolecular bonding (within)

Question 2

What is the shape of RNA structure like?

Answer 2

Stem-Looped

Question 3

Name the X3 Types of RNA

Answer 3

mRNA, tRNA and rRNA

Question 4

What is mRNA

Answer 4

• Messenger RNA
• Mature RNA Transcript formed from Transcription and Splicing
• Carries genetic info to ribosome to be Translated

Question 5

What is rRNA?

Answer 5

• Ribosomal RNA

- Proteins + rRNA forms Ribosomes

Question 6

What is tRNA?

Answer 6

• Transfer RNA
• Matches complementary anticodons to codons of mRNA
• Combines Amino acids via Peptide links

Question 7

What are Intermolecular and Intramolecular forces?

Answer 7

Intramolecular-Forces between atoms within a molecule

Intermolecular forces- between two groups

Question 8

Describe the RNA Polymerase binding stage in Transcription.

Answer 8

-RNA Polymerase enzymes detects ‘Promotor’ sites where DNA Synthesis occurs.

Question 9

What does RNA Polymerase enzyme require?

Answer 9

Transcription Factors-proteins that can bind to DNA and Initiate or Inhibit Transcription

Question 10

Give an Example of a Transcription Factor

Answer 10

-TATA Box-promotor

Question 11

What does DNA polymerase do in Transcription?

Answer 11

-Unzips DNA double helix

Question 12

What is Transcription Elongation?

Answer 12

Adding of more nucleotides to RNA strand being formed

Question 13

What is the name for the final stage of DNA Transcription?

Answer 13

• Termination

- Release of finished RNA from cytoplasm

Question 14

What are the two domains of Transcription Factors?

Answer 14

• DNA Binding

- Transcriptional Activation

Question 15

What is Gene Expression?

Answer 15

-Conversion of DNA into a functional product.

Question 16

What is a ‘Stressor?’

Answer 16

• Responds to stimuli
• Activates Transcription
• Binds to Transcription factor (initiator) forms a protein

Question 17

What must be added to a Mature RNA strand?

Answer 17

-5’ end cap

Question 18

Where does Protein Synthesis occur in Prokaryotes?

Answer 18

• Transcription- nucleus

- Translation-Nucleus (NOT move to Cytoplasm)

Question 19

What does Translation use for energy?

Answer 19

-ATP and GTP

Question 20

What does ‘Degenerate’ mean?

Answer 20

-Amino acid can be coded for by several codons

Question 21

What does ‘Unambiguous’ mean?

Answer 21

-Amino acid can ONLY be coded by one type of codon

Question 22

What is the function of the enzyme Aminocytl-tRNA Synthetases/tRNA Ligase in Translation?

Answer 22

• Binds matching amino acid to anticodon of tRNA via covalent bond
• Requires ATP

Question 23

What are the X3 binding sites of the Ribosome?

Answer 23

(EPA)
E-Exit
P- Peptidl
A-Aminoacyl 
Order A>P>E

Question 24

What is required for Translation to occur?

Answer 24

Translation Initiation Factors

-GTP

Question 25

What are Elongation Factors in Translation?

Answer 25

• Extend peptide chain being formed
• Moves ribosome along codons of mRNA
• GTP required for (EFs)

Question 26

What is the function of the Peptidyl Transferase (enzyme) ?

Answer 26

-Forms peptide bonds between Amino Acids

Question 27

What happens in Termination of Translation?

Answer 27

• Occurs when Stop Codon occurs in mRNA strand
• Release Factor (RF) binds to Stop Codon
• Finished protein cut and released from tRNA Molecules