DNA Flashcards
NUCLEIC ACIDS
organic molecules that control protein synthesis in living cells
DNA & RNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
ribonucleic acid
DNA LOCATION
- mainly in the nucleas and forms part of chromosomes, small amount outside nucleas
EXTRANUCLEAR DNA
DNA that occurs outside the nucleas
CHROMOSOMES
long thread-like structures composed of DNA that is wrapped around histones
GENE
a segment of DNA that codes for a particular protein, which determine characteristics of an organism
DNA STRUCTURE
- giant molecule in a double helix (a ladder when unwound)
- a polymer made up of monomers
NUCLEOTIDES IN DNA
monomers (building blocks) of DNA consisting of three parts
WHAT ARE NUCLEOTIDES MADE OF
sugar molecule
phosphate group
nitrogenous base
NITROGENOUS BASES
adenine
cytosine
guamine
thymine
PURINE BASES
(larger) adenine and guanine
PYRAMIDINE BASES
(smaller) cytosine and thymine
NUCLEOTIDE FORMATION
deoxyribose combines with phosphate group, as well as one nitrogenous base
DNA FORMATION
- deoxyribose of one nucleotide forms a bond w the phosphate group of another
- two strands (side of a ladder) are formed
- the sides consist of alternating deoxy and phos
- two nitrogenous bases link on each rung by weak hydrogen bonds
COMBINATIONS
adenine = thymine guanine = cytosine
GENETIC CODE
the sequence of bases that provides the code that gives instructions for protein synthesis
ROLE OF DNA
DNA carries genetic code for protein synthesis and replicates to ensure the code is accurately transferred from one gen to the next
NON-CODING DNA
Do not carry information to produce proteins, but regulate the expression of genes and protects genes from mutations.
DNA REPLICATION
The duplication of DNA molecule to form two identical copies during the Interphase. Two identical chromatids are formed joined by centromere.
IMPORTANCE OF REPLICATION
- Creates identical daughter cells with the same genetic information and DNA composition.
DNA PROFILING
Barcode pattern obtained by scientists through extracting DNA.
USES FOR DNA PROFILING
- proof of paternity
- to identify suspects in crime investigations
- tracing missing persons
LOCATION OF RNA
In nucleus and cytoplasm, forms part of ribosomes.
RNA STRUCTURE
Consists of a single strand and is a polymer.
NUCLEOTIDES IN RNA
adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil
RNA FORMATION
when nucleotides join, the ribose of one attaches to the phosphate group of another to form a longer strand. bases occur in any number and ratio.
mRNA
acts as a messenger, by carrying genetic code from DNA to ribosomes
tRNA
- transfers amino acids from cytoplasm ribosomes for protein synthesis
rRNA
- consists of single strand and forms part of ribosome structure
DNA vs RNA
- double helix / single strand
- uracil / thymine
- deoxyribose/ ribose
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
process by which proteins are manufactured in living cells
BASE TRIPLET
three nitrogenous bases on DNA strand that provide code for a particular amino acid
TRANSCRIPTION
the process where mRNA obtains the code for protein synthesis from the DNA
TRANSLATION
the processing of the code in the mRNA to form a certain amino acid sequence
CODON
three nitrogenous bases on tRNA which determines which amino acid will bind to the tRNA
ANTI-CODON
three nitrogenous bases on mRNA
SEQUENCE OF BASES FUNCTION
it provides the code that gives the instruction for protein synthesis
tRNA structure
- single strand that forms loops w anticodons on
mRNA structure
- single strand, unlimited nucleotides
- formed in nucleoplasm
