Cellular Control Flashcards
Where is mRNA made?
mRNA is made in the nucleus
What bases does mRNA contain?
Adenine, guanine, uracil and cytosine
What does universal mean when referring to properties of the genetic code?
The same codons code for the same amino acids in all organisms
What does degenerate mean when referring to the properties of the genetic code?
Most amino acids have more than one codon that code for them
What does non-overlapping mean when referring to properties of the genetic code?
Each base is only read once
What are the 4 types of genes?
Structural genes
Regulatory genes
Housekeeping genes
Tissue specific genes
What are structural genes?
Genes that code for a protein that has a function within a cell.
Eg. Genes coding for enzymes, membrane carriers, hormones etc.
What are regulatory genes?
Genes that code for proteins (or various forms of RNA) that control the expression of structural genes
Eg. Genes coding for transcription factors
What are housekeeping genes?
Genes that code for proteins that are constantly required
Eg. Genes that code for enzymes necessary for reactions in respiration
What are tissue specific genes?
Genes that code for proteins that are only required at certain times to carry out a short-lived response
Eg. Genes coding for hormones used for growth and repair
What are the 4 different ways genes can be regulated?
Transcriptional
Post-transcriptional
Translation
Post-translational
How are genes regulated at transcriptional level?
Genes are able to be turned on/off
How are genes regulated at post-transcriptional level?
mRNA can be modified, which regulates translation and the types of proteins produced
How can genes be regulated at translational level?
Translation can be stopped or started
How can genes be regulated at post-translational level?
Protein can be modified after synthesis, which changes their function
What are heterochromatin?
Tightly wound DNA —> Chromosomes are visible under a microscope
What are Euchromatin?
Loosely wound DNA —> Not visible under a microscope
Transcription isn’t possible when DNA is tightly wound (heterochromatin). Why?
Because RNA polymerase can’t attach and move along the DNA
During what part of the cell cycle does protein synthesis take place?
During the interphase because there is euchromatin, making genes more accessible to RNA polymerase
What charge does DNA have?
DNA has a negative charge
What charge do histone proteins have?
A positive charge
What happens at acetylation and phosphorylation?
•Reduce charge on histone
•Histones now become more negative
•Causing DNA to coil less tightly
•Genes are now more accessible
What happens during methylation of histone proteins?
• Involved adding a hydrocarbon
• Histones now more hydrophobic
• The histone bind tighter together
• DNA coils tighter as a result
• This prevents transcription of genes
What are epigenetics?
Heritable changes in gene function that don’t change the base sequence of DNA
What are examples of epigenetics?
Acetylation
Phosphorylation
Methylation
Which part of the gene do transcription factors bind to?
The promoter region
What are activators?
The binding of the transcription factor aids RNA polymerase binding to DNA, starting transcription