chromosomes, genes, DNA, RNA and Proteins Flashcards
DNA
carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism
gene
The basic unit of heredity passed from parent to child. They are sequences of DNA
chromosomes
Thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells.
nucleus
In biology, the structure in a cell contains the chromosomes. The nucleus has a membrane around it
nucleotide
A molecule that is the basic building block of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
organism
a living thing that can function on its own
What do genes code for?
a specific protein and traits
what is the difference of a gene and genome?
A gene is a specific segment of DNA that tells cells how to function. Is a genome the whole organism’s genetics?
What is the function of DNA? Describe its structure. What holds the 2 strands together?
DNA contains the instructions
for making proteins which code for traits. Double helix. Held together by hydrogen bonds.
Three components of a nucleotide?
nitrogenous base, a sugar, and phosphate.
Base pairing rule for DNA
A-T, T-A, C-G, G-C
What is the main function of RNA describe its structure?
The primary function of RNA is to create proteins via translation.
RNA is a single-stranded molecule and does not have to stay in the nucleus.
Similarities of RNA and DNA
Both the molecules of DNA and RNA are formed of nucleotides.
A-C-G
Differences of RNA and DNA
DNA is double-stranded, forming a double helix, while RNA is usually single-stranded.
The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, whereas RNA contains ribose.
DNA uses the bases adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, while RNA uses adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine.
What are proteins? What function do they have in the cell?
Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids.
They can be used for various structures and functions in cells.
What are the steps required to produce a protein from DNA?
Transcription
and Translation
Transcription
Transcription occurs in the nucleus.
The DNA is copied into a molecule of RNA, called messenger
RNA (mRNA), by an enzyme called RNA polymerase.
Translation
Translation occurs on a ribosome in the cytoplasm
Translation decodes mRNA into amino acids, forming proteins
essential for life functions.
Biggest to smallest
DNA, gene, chromosomes, nucleus, nucleotide, organism
- Organism
- nucleus
- chromosomes
- gen
- DNA
- Nucleotide
