Chapter 17-20 Flashcards
DNA facts
Stands for deoxyribonucleic acid
Blueprint of a cell, determines what a cell is and what a cell does.
Genetic material in a cell (passes on traits to offspring)
Controls protein synthesis
Controls cell division
Controls metabolism
DNA location
Most DNA is located in the nucleus of a cell (nuclear DNA)
Some DNA is found in the mitochondria (mitochondrial DNA)
Mitochondrial DNA is passed on only from the mother
DNA basic unit
Basic unit of DNA is the nucleotide
Nucleotide consists of
Three parts: a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate and a nitrogen base
4 kinds of nitrogen bases
(Also means for kinds of nucleotides)
Adenine (A), Guanine (G), thymine (T) and cytosine (C)
DNA Structure
Consists of 2 strands of nucleotides bound together, nitrogen bases of each strand form hydrogen bonds together. The 2 strands are antiparallel to each other(run in opposite directions). The 2 strands twist around each other to form a double helix
Nitrogen base pairings
A always pairs with T, and G always pairs with C. A and T are complimentary. G and C are complimentary
Genes and Chromosomes
Many base pairs linked together make a gene, that is responsible for expressing a single trait. Many genes linked together make a chromosome, chromosomes are long strands of DNA compacted into a distinct shape to conserve space. It is the unique sequence of base pairs that makes us each unique
DNA replication
Before cells can divide through mitosis or meiosis, they must make an exact copy of their DNA. Is semi-conservative meaning each strand of DNA acts as a template for a new complementary strand. For this to happen the 2 dna strands must separate and each strand will make a new strand
Enzymes required for DNA replication
Helicase, DNA polymerase, primase, DNA ligase
Stage 1 of DNA replication
An enzyme called helipads breaks down the helical shape and separates the 2 strands of DNA to form a replication fork
Stage 2 of DNA replication
Once the 2 strands are separated each one will make a new strand complementary to itself. DNA SYNTHESIS IS ALWAYS IN A 5-3 DIRECTION***
Leading strand
One strand can be synthesized continuously as the DNA strands separate
Lagging strand
The strand that cannot be synthesized continuously in DNA replication, must be synthesized in smaller pieces called Okazaki fragments. Primase makes a primer, then DNA polymerase adds free nucleotides to the lagging strand. Finally ligase connects the Okazaki fragments together.
DNA polymerase
The enzyme that adds free nucleotides to the leading strand
Primase
Enzyme that makes an RNA primer (the primer is necessary to get the process started)
Ligase
The enzyme that connects the Okazaki fragments together
Replication Machine
The complex of DNA and enzymes together, by the time the replication machine Gets to the end of the double stranded DNA, 2 identical DNA molecules have been created
Levene (1900’s)
Isolated 2 types of nucleic acid, calling them ribose nucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA). Showed that chromosomes are made up of DNA and proteins. It was not known at this time that DNA was the genetic material
Griffith (1928)
Worked with mice and with 2 strains of the bacteria, streptococcus pneumoniae, a deadly one (S strain) and a non deadly one (R strain). Experiment was important because Griffith proved the existence of a transforming factor, a chemical that can change the characteristics of a bacteria. (Genetic material)
Avery, McCarty, McCleod
Experiment was important because it provided solid evidence that griffiths transforming factor was DNA, when they treated heat killed pathogenic bacteria with a protein destroying enzyme transformation still occurred. When they treated heat killed pathogenic bacteria with a DNA destroying enzyme transformation did not occur
Hershey and Chase
Experiment was important because it showed that the genetic material was DNA and not protein, used bacteriophage viruses with a radioactively labelled phosphorus DNA. Viruses were allowed to infect bacterial cells by injecting their genetic material into them, only the radioactive phosphorus was found in the bacterial cells showing that the genetic material was DNA. Called the blender experiment because they used a blender to remove viral particles from the surface of bacterial cells.
Chargaff (1949)
Studied the composition of DNA from many species.
Rules:
For each species the amount of A is equal to the amount of T, and the amount of G is equal to the amount of C
For each species amount of purines is equal to amount of pyrmimidines (A+G=C+T)
A + T does not equal G + C, this ratio varies between species but is the same for all tissues of a single species
Franklin
Used X-ray diffraction technique to show that DNA has a helical structure