Cellular Control and Variation Flashcards
What is the definition of a gene?
A length of DNA that codes for one (or more) polypeptide.
What is the definition of a chromosome?
A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and a protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
What is the definition of the genome?
The entire DNA sequence of an organism.
What is a histone?
A protein structure which has been wrapped around by DNA.
How are chromosomes formed?
DNA and histines combine to form the linear structure.
Where is the gene found?
On the gene locus on the chromosome.
What are the group of bases called on mRNA, tRNA and DNA?
DNA- Triplet code
mRNA- Codon
tRNA- Anti-codon
How many different amino acids are there?
20
How many STOP codes are there and name them?
3:
UAA
UAG
UGA
What does degenerate mean?
There are some triplet codes that code for the same amino acid.
What is the first step in transcription?
The gene that is to be transcribed unwinds and unzips. The length of the DNA molecule that makes up the gene dips into the nucleolus and hydrogen bonds between the bases break.
What is the second step in transcription?
Activated RNA nucleotides from the nucleolus bind to the exposed DNA bases by hydrogen bonding, following the rules of complementary base pairing. This is catalysed by RNA polymerase.
What is the third step in transcription?
The two phosphoryl groups on each activated RNA nucleotide are released, which provides energy to form hydrogen bonds between exposed DNA bases and RNA nucleotides.
What is the fourth step in transcription?
The mRNA molecule produced is complementary to the nucleotide base sequence on the template strand of DNA and is therefore a copy of the coding strand.
What is the fifth step in transcription?
The mRNA strand is released from the DNA and passes out of the nucleus through a pore in the nuclear envelope.
Where are ribosomes synthesised and what from?
Synthesised in the nucleolus from ribosomal RNA and proteins.
Where is tRNA formed?
Nucleus
What is tRNA?
Single-strand o fRNA that folds into a hairpin shape.
What is the importance of cAMP?
Activates proteins by changing their 3D shape so that their shape is a better fit to the complementary molecules.
What is the first step of translation?
A molecule of mRNA binds to a ribosome. The first mRNA codon is always AUG. Using ATP and an enzyme, a tRNA carrying the amino acid methionine and the anticodon UAC forms hydrogen bonds with this codon.
What is the second step of translation?
A second tRNA, bearing a different amino acid, binds to the second codon with its complementary anticodon.
What is the third step of translation?
A peptide bond forms between the two adjacent amino acids. An enzyme present in the ribosome catalyses this reaction.
What is the fourth step in translation?
The ribosome now moves along the mRNA, reading the next codon. A third tRNA brings another amino acid and a peptide bond forms between it and the dipeptide. the first tRNA molecule leaves and is free to collect a new amino acid.
What is the final step in translation?
The polypeptide chain grows until a stop codon is reached. There are no corresponding tRNA molecules for these drop codon.
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a random change to genetic material. There are two main types: DNA and chromosome mutations.
What is DNA mutation?
-Causes changes to the order of nucleotides in a `DNA molecule. DNA mutations can be classified as additions, substitutions, inversions, duplications or deletions.
What is chromosome mutation?
-Causes changes to the structure of the chromosomes. Chromosome mutations can be classified as inversions, deletions, duplications or translocations.
What are the most common types of mutagens?
Gamma radiation
X-ray radiation
Tar
UV radiation
What are the conclusions of mutations during mitosis?
- Cannot be inherited by offspring
- May contribute to ageing or cancer
What are the conclusions of mutations during meiosis?
- Can be inherited by offspring
- Will effect all cells in the individual
What are some conditions associated with substitution in DNA mutations?
Cancer and sickle-cell anaemia
What are condition/s associated with deletion DNA mutations?
Cystic fibrosis
What are condition/s associated with duplication DNA mutation?
Huntington’s disease.
What is an allele?
An alternative version of a gene, caused by a DNA mutation. The allele has the same gene locus, but eh functioning of the protein may be slightly different.
What is missense mutation?
When a mutation change the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide, which may alter the function of the protein.
What is a nonsense mutation?
Mutation alters the amino acid sequence significantly, so the polypeptide cannot be translated, or it becomes shortened (truncated) or elongated. The protein may not function at all.
What is a silent mutation?
A mutation does not affect the amino acid sequence in the resulting polypeptide, so the functioning of the protein will be the same.
What two sugars is lactose composed of?
Galactose
Glucose
In prokaryotic organisms, enzymes involved in basic cell functions…
Are synthesised at a fairly constant rate.
Inducible enzymes are synthesised at varying rates…
According to the cell’s environment.
By this form of enzyme induction..
Bacteria can adapt to changing environments and metabolise different substrates when they become abundant.
What is the lac operon?
A group of different genes located adjacent to one another on the same chromosome.
It is composed of structural genes and control sites.
What do structural genes (regions Y and Z) do?
Code for the enzyme beta-galactosidase(Z) and lactose permease (Y).
What does the operator region (Region O) do?
A length of DNA next to the structural genes. It can switch them on and off.
What does the promoter region (Region P) do?
A length of DNA to which a molecule of RNA polymerase can bind to.
What does the regulator gene (region I) do?
This is not part of the lac operon, but it codes for a repressor molecule.
What happens in a lac operon when glucose is present?
A repressor molecule (coded byt he regulatory gene), binds to the operator region.
This prevents RNA polymerase from transcribing the structural genes.
What happens in a lac operon when lactose is present?
Lactose acts as an inducer because it binds to the repressor molecule.
This prevents the repressor molecule from binding to the operator region.
As a result. RNA polymerase can bind to the promotor region and is then able to transcribe the structural genes.
What do hox genes code for?
The anterior to posterior body plans.
What is translation?
Protein synthesis. The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain are determined by the sequence of codons on a messenger RNA molecule.
What is a segment?
This is a section of an embryo that will eventually develop into a specific region of the body plan. For instance, some segments produce the head.
What is polarity?
This refers to which end of an embryo will develop into the head(anterior portion) or the abdomen (posterior portion).