DNA

Question 1

DNA

Answer 1

Deoxyribonucleic acid. Blue print to all life on Earth.

Question 2

RNA

Answer 2

Ribonucleic acid

Question 3

Nucleotide

Answer 3

DNA/RNA monomers made up of sugar group, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

Question 4

Differences between DNA & RNA

Answer 4

DNA: Double helix, Contains Thymine, Deoxyribose sugar.
RNA: Single strand, Contains Uracil, Ribose sugar

Question 5

Gene

Answer 5

A long stretch of DNA that codes for something, usually a protein or a group of proteins.

Question 6

Mutation

Answer 6

Any change in the nucleotide sequence of a chain of DNA/RNA.

Question 7

Mutagens

Answer 7

Things that cause mutations.

Question 8

How did Watson and Crick solved the mystery of DNA?

Answer 8

By gathering information from many scientists such as Levene for his discovery of nucleotides. Chargaff and his rule about a 1:1 ratio for the base pairings of G&C, and T&A.

Question 9

Protein synthesis

Answer 9

Process by which proteins are produced within a living cell.

Question 10

Codon

Answer 10

a sequence of three nucleotides which together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule.

Question 11

Anticodon

Answer 11

a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.

Question 12

Transcription

Answer 12

Transcription is the process by which DNA is copied (transcribed) to mRNA, which carries the information needed for protein synthesis.

Question 13

Translation

Answer 13

Translation is the process of translating the sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule to a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis.

Question 14

What is the role of polymerase in protein synthesis?

Answer 14

It’s an enzyme that controls the transfer of the code from DNA into RNA. It also causes the hydrogen bonds between base pairs to break

Question 15

Mitochondrial DNA

Answer 15

DNA that occurs in the mitochondria, it codes for enzymes that assist with cellular respiration and it is used to determine the relatedness of a child and their mother since it is hereditary from the female.

Question 16

Where is mRNA created?

Answer 16

It is created in the nucleus.

Question 17

Where is tRNA located?

Answer 17

It is found in the cytoplasm

Question 18

Describe the process of Transcription

Answer 18

The two strands of DNA unzip where the gene is located. Free floating RNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm are used to build a complementary mRNA strand on one of the DNA strands. As the mRNA forms, it moves away from the DNA. The mRNA strand leaves the nucleus via pores in the nuclear membrane. The code obtained by the mRNA is taken to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

Question 19

Describe the process of Translation

Answer 19

The single mRNA strand attaches to the ribosome. tRNA brings amino acids in the cytoplasm and brings them to the ribosome. The anticodon in the tRNA will determine which amino acid will bind to the tRNA. A specific tRNA brings amino acid for which it is coded for, to the mRNA template. The codons of the mRNA will determine which anticodons of tRNA will correspond.

Question 20

What is non-coding DNA used for?

Answer 20

Non-coding DNA varies from person to person thus giving an individual their own specific DNA profile which can be used in fingerprinting.

Question 21

What is the significance of DNA fingerprinting?

Answer 21

DNA fingerprinting is a chemical test that shows the genetic makeup of a person or other living things. It’s used as evidence in courts, to identify bodies, track down blood relatives, and to look for cures for disease.

Question 22

What is the role of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in making this possible from small samples?

Answer 22

PCR can multiply a few copies of a sample of DNA to millions of DNA segments by the replication of DNA in a test tube thus, it plays an important role in DNA fingerprinting by ensuring that there is enough DNA for testing.

Question 23

Why is DNA fingerprinting important?

Answer 23

It can help prove the paternity of child, track lost relatives, identifying the remains of the deceased, determine the probability of birth defects, treatment of genetic defects, solving criminal cases with forensic science, and identifying the origin of products of threatened species.

Question 24

What is a point mutation?

Answer 24

A mutation affecting only one or very few nucleotides in a gene sequence.

Question 25

What is a Frameshift mutation?

Answer 25

a mutation caused by the addition or deletion of a base pair or base pairs in the DNA of a gene resulting in the translation of the genetic code in an unnatural reading frame from the position of the mutation to the end of the gene.