Class 5: Genetics and Epigenetics Flashcards
What is by far the most complex molecule in our body?
Proteins (greek for ‘of first importance)
What are the three types of proteins?
- Structural
- Enzymes
- Cell Signaling
What do Structural Proteins do?
Helps to hold cells and tissue together
What do Enzyme Proteins do?
Catalyze chemical reactions and aid in metabolism
What do cell signaling proteins do?
Signal to other cells (ie NTs, Receptors for Hormones and Cytokines)
What are proteins made up of?
They are chains of amino acids (of which there are 20 types)
What determines the order of the amino acids for a particular protein? (the recipe)
DNA is the recipe for the protein
What are the two types of Necleobases of DNA?
Nucleobases are either Purines or Pyrimidines.
What are the two Purines compounds?
Adenine and Guanine
What are the two pyrimidine compounds?
Thymine and Cytosine
What are the two complementary strands of nucleobases?
A-T and G-C
What are genes organized into and how many nucleotides long is it?
Genes are organized into codons which are each 3 nucleotides long.
What are the 4 steps to use DNA to make proteins (gene expression)?
- DNA molecule partially unravels exposing structural gene for transcription
- A strand of messenger RNA copies one of the exposed DNA strands and brings it to the cytoplasm of the cell
- In the cytoplasm the mRNA attaches itself to a ribosome which moves along the strand translating each codon into the appropriate amino acid
- At the end the ribosome is instructed to release completed protein
What is an up-regulated gene?
More mRNA and protein which leads to a greater result in whatever that protein is supposed to be doing.
What is a down regulated gene?
Less mRNA and protein therefore less occurrence of whatever that protein is supposed to do.
