DNA Flashcards
What does each diploid eukaryotic cell contain?
Diploid eukaryotic cells contain two copies of each chromosome (1 paternal, 1 maternal)
What does each diploid eukaryotic cell contain?
Diploid eukaryotic cells contain two copies of each chromosome
What differs between each chromosome pair?
Each chromosome pair differs in size and DNA sequence
What 2 aspects of a chromosome can staining highlight?
> This staining can be sued to show if there are any additions or defects.
> Could also see area where there’s cross over between chromosomes.
In dividing cells what state is DNA in?
DNA is in a condensed state known as chromatin, which is tightly packed to form chromosomes.
What is a karyotype?
The organized representation of all the chromosomes in a eukaryotic cell at metaphase
What is meant by a cell in interphase?
Not dividing
During interphase, where are uncondensed chromosomes found?
Individual chromosomes occupy distinct subnuclear territories even in interphase nuclei
What are nucleosomes and what is its function?
> Structures made up of 8 histone proteins, which chromatin is wound around
> Helps compact DNA into a condensed structure, and N terminal tails from all 8 core histones helps interact with other proteins to modify chromatin structure
What are linker Histones (H1) and their function?
> Type of histone (called H1) which interacts with DNA at the nucleosomes (not apart of the nucleosome structure itself, they bind to the phosphate backbone and further condense the DNA).
> Allowing for further folding and compaction of the chromatin fibre. This compaction helps to further restrict access to the DNA and can play a role in regulating gene expression (establishment of transcriptionally silent heterochromatin).
What is important about linker histone’s structure (H1)?
This area is rich in arginine and lysine So is very basic, so can bind to phosphate backbone of DNA to cause further condensing (not sequence specific binding, so can bind anywhere on DNA)
What enzyme uncondences DNA so transcription proteins can bind?
Chromatin can be remodelled by chemo remodelling enzymes These remove nucleosomes, opening DNA so transcription proteins can bind.
What is the Fractal globule model for chromatin organization and its function?
> The chromatin fibre is highly compacted and folded into a series of loops that are nested within each other, forming a fractal-like structure. Nuclear scale -> chromosome scale -> Megabase scale (like Russian dolls gets smaller and smaller)
> Allows chromatic to be reversibly condensed and recondensed without becoming knotted.
In an interphase cell, where is a) transcriptional active b) transcriptional inactive DNA found?
a) kept in the middle of nucleus
b) restricted to periphery of nucleus
What are 4 features which allow reliable replication and segregation of chromosomes?
- Telomeres on ends of chromosomes
- Replication origins
- Centromeres (centromeric DNA)
- Kinetochore
How do sister chromatids get pulled to opposite poles of the cell during anaphase of mitosis?
During mitosis centromeric DNA bind to kinetochore (inner plate) allowing microtubules to bind to one or more of the centromeres (microtubules bind to kinetochores outer plate), so spindles line up accurately. This then pulls chromatids to opposite poles of the cell (centromeric DNA found in middle of chromatids where kinetochore binds and microtubules pull).
What is the structure of Kinetochores and how do they interact with other proteins?
Made up of 2 plates:
- Outer plate proteins bind to protein components of mitotic spindle like microtubules
- Inner plate proteins bind to chromatin containing alpha-satellite DNA (centromeric DNA)
What is a centromere?
It is the site on the chromosome where the kinetochore forms (out plate binds here), contains alpha-satellite DNA repeats allowing formation of centric heterochromatin (highly condensed chromatin)
What is the role of Kinetochores?
A protein structure that attaches to spindle microtubules and facilitates chromosome movement during cell division.
What % of our genome contains a) exons b) introns c) transposons d) what is the remining DNA for?
a) 1% exons (coding regions)
b) 20% introns (unique non-coding sequences between genes)
c) 50% transposons
d) The rest is non-repetitive DNA that is neither in introns nor codons
What are transposons and where do most of these come from?
> Repeated DNA sequences that are mobile and “jump” around the genome.
> Most of these elements are copies of retrotransposons known as “parasitic DNA”
What do more complex organisms contain more of in their genome than less complex organisms and why?
- Increased number of protein-coding genes for more proteins
- Increasing amounts of non-protein-coding DNA - these regions are important for regulating transcription and organising access to protein-coding genes.
What is one known role of introns and other non-coding DNA?
Some of the non-protein-coding DNA encodes cis-regulatory information which determines where and when in the body adjacent protein-coding genes are transcribed.
What are the 3 different types of Transposons and how do they function?
- DNA Transposons
>Encodes transposase enzyme, bind and cut out transposons sequence and re-enter the genome at a target gene. - Retroviral retrotransposons
>Use reverse transcriptase from a virus capsid to transcribe RNA into DNA which is integrated into the genome at a new location. - Non-retroviral PolyA retrotransposons
>Similar to viral but doesn’t use viral capsid. Synthesis RNA transcriptase to synthesise RNA with PolyA tail. This cuts open DNA and reverse transcriptase transcribes a DNA copy of the RNA into this cut gap in the DNA.