Chapter 9: DNA Structure and Analysis Flashcards
What are the four major characteristics of the genetic material?
- Replication
- Storage of information
- Expression of information
- Variation by mutation
Once the genetic material of cells replicates and is doubled in amount, it must then be partitioned equally into daughter cells. This characteristic is referred to as?
Replication
Requires the molecule to act as a repository of genetic information that may or may not be expressed by the cell in which it resides. This characteristic is referred to as?
Storage of information
As a basis of the process of information flow within the cell. This characteristic is referred to as?
Expression of information
The chemical information in mRNA directs the construction of a chain of amino acids, called a polypeptide, which then folds into a protein. This process is called?
Translation
What are the three main types of RNA molecules that are synthesized?
- mRNA
- rRNA
- tTNA
Mutations/ alterations may be reflected during transcription and translation, affecting the specific protein. This characteristic is referred to as?
Variation by mutation
The Swiss chemist, Friedrich Miescher called the DNA what?
Nuclein
DNA contained approximately equal amounts of four similar molecules called nucleotides. This hypothesis is referred to as?
tetranucleotide hypothesis of DNA
Strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae that possess the polysaccharide coat, are not easily engulfed; they multiply and cause pneumonia. They form smooth colonies (S) with a shiny surface when grown on an agar culture plate
Virulent strain
The nonencapsulated strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae that are readily engulfed and destroyed by phagocytic cells in the animal’s circulatory system. It produces rough colonies (R).
Avirulent strain
Each strain of Diplococcus may be one of the dozens of different types called?
Serotypes
These structures (cells) whose cell wall has been removed are called?
Protoplast (or spheroplasts)
Process of infection by only the viral nucleic acid.
Transfection
True or False. RNA serves as the genetic material in some viruses.
True
An enzyme derived from E. coli cells that replicates RNA upon infection of RNA virus.
RNA replicase
RNA serves as a template for the synthesis of the complementary DNA molecule.
Reverse transcription
Reverse transcription is directed by what enzyme?
Reverse transcriptase
True or False. James Watson and Francis Crick proposed that the structure of DNA is in the form of a single helix.
False. Double helix
The building blocks of all nucleic acid molecules.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are made of:
- Nitrogenous base (A, G, C, G, U)
- Pentose sugar (deoxyribose or ribose)
- Phosphate group
True or False. Both DNA and RNA contain A, G, and C, but only DNA contains the base T and only RNA contains the base U.
True
What are the two kinds of nitrogenous bases?
- nine-member double-ring purine (Adenine and Guanine)
2. six-member single-ring pyrimidines (Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil)
Two kinds of pentose sugar.
Ribose (RNA) and deoxyribose (DNA)
A pentose sugar that has a hydroxyl group present on the C-2’ position.
Ribose sugar
Ribose sugar that has a hydrogen atom rather than a hydroxyl group present at the (C-2′) position.
Deoxyribose (2-deoxyribose)