Biology-DNA the genome Flashcards
What is DNA
A double-stranded polymer of nucleotides, wound to form a double helix
What are the monomers of DNA
Nucleotides
What are DNA nucleotides made up of
common sugar
Phosphate group
One of four bases: A T C or G
The four bases found in nucleotides
Adenine
Thymine
Cytosine
Guanine
Describe how nucleotides interact to form a molecule of DNA
Sugar and phosphate molecules join to form a sugar-phosphate backbone in each DNA strand
Base connected to each sugar
Complementary base pairs joined by weak hydrogen bonds (A with T, C with G)
Define Genome
The entire genetic material of an organism
What is a Chromosome
A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes
Define gene
A section of DNA that codes for a specific sequence of amino acids
What is protein synthesis
The formation of a protein from a gene
What are the two stages of protein Synthesis
Transcription
Translation
Describe the difference between mRNA and DNA
mRNA is single stranded whereas DNA is double stranded
What is a mutation
A random change in the base sequence of DNA which results in genetic variants
