DNA And Genes Flashcards
What is the DNA like in a eukaryotic cell?
They have most of their DNA in the nucleus. This DNA is linear, as chromosomes
Structure of chromosomes
Each chromosome is a length of double stranded DNA wrapped around his tone proteins
What is the complex of DNA and protein called
Chromatin
Where is most of our DNA found
It’s not found in genes but makes up promoter regions and multiple repeat regions between genes
What are introns
Non-coding and found within genes
What are exons
Coding
What happens to introns during protein-synthesis?
They are spliced out
What is the DNA like in prokaryotic cells?
It’s circular,not associated with histones and dos not contain introns
The structure of DNA in mitochondria and chloroplast?
It’s prokaryotic in nature (circular, no histone proteins, no introns)
What does each gene code for?
Either polypeptide of a functional RNA molecule (e.g. tRNA or rRNA)
How can genes be switched on and off?
Using the promotor regions and methylation/acetylation
Definition of a genome
All of the DNA present in a cell or organism
What’s different about stop(TAA,TAG,TGA)
ends every genetic code
Definition of a proteome
All of the proteins that a cell is able to synthesise
Features of the genetic code
- universal, it’s the same in all living organisms
- non overlapping , each nucleotide is only read once
- degenerate, more than 1 code (codon) for many amino acids
What’s different about methyanine (ATG)
starts the universal code for every gene
What are the two stages of protein synthesis
- transcription
- translation
What happens at the start of transcription?
Breaking of hydrogen bonds between the strands of the gene at the locus (position of interest). This exposes the base on the template strand. Free nucleotides bind to their complementary DNA base
What does RNA polymerase form in transcription?
Phosphodiester bonds between adjacent RNA nucleotides. This forms premrna . This goes to a spliceosome where the introns are spliced out and the produces mRNA. This travels out the nucleus via a nuclear pore and is taken to a ribosome
What happens during translation
- In the ribosomes each codon (sequence of amino acids) is “read” and a complementary tRNA molecule is attached
- The ribosome catalyses the formation of peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids using energy from ATP
- Once the amino acid joins the polypeptide the tRNA molecule leaves the ribosomes to gain another specific amino acid
4.when a stop codon is reached the process of translation stops - Polypeptide folds into the tertiary structure
what are the two keys types of mutationin a DNA sequence:
- substitution
- deletion
what is a substitution mutation?
when one nucleotide in the DNA sequence is replaced by another. Substitution may not be harmful as the substituted nucleotide may code for the same amino acid.
what is a deletion mutation?
when a nucleotide in the DNA sequence is lost. This results in different amino acids being coded.
what Mutations can occur in chromosomes:
- polyploidy
- non-disjunction
what is polyploidy mutation in chromosomes?
an individual has 3 or more sets of chromosomes instead of 2. This is common in plants, with many modern wheats
what is Non-disjunction mutation in chromosomes?
occurs when chromosomes fail to separate correctly in
meiosis. gametes and zygotes formed will have 1 more/less chromosome than they should. Down’s syndrome is an example of this where individuals have an extra chromosome 21.
what is meiosis
form of cell division that gives four daughter cells that are genetically different and have half the number of chromosomes found in the parent cell.
what is the main role of meiosis?
the production of haploid gametes. as cells produced by meiosis have half the number of chromosomes. This maintains a stable number of chromosomes.
genetic variation is achieved through in cells?
- Independent assortment of chromosomes
- Crossing over of chromatids
what is the Independent assortment of chromosomes?
various combinations of chromosome arrangement. in meiosis 1 homologous chromosomes line up in pairs,the pair arrangement is random, meaning that the division into the daughter cells is random.
what is Crossing over of chromatids
chromosome swaps places with the same part of its homologous pair leading to a different combo of alleles on the gene.
pairs of chromosomes line up they exchange some genetic material.
chiasmata forms
what are the Stages of Meiosis?
its split into tow nuclear divisions
- meiosis 1
- meiosis 2
what happens in meiosis 1
homologous chromosomes pair up they cross over at the chiasmata. cell divides, each daughter cell contains one chromosome from each homologous pair.
what happens in meiosis 2
the chromatids of each chromosome are separated producing 4 haploid daughter cells.
What is genetic diversity
Number of different alleles of genes in a species or population
What is a population?
The number of organisms of the same species in the same area at the same time that are able to interbreed