DNA and the production of proteins Flashcards
What is a chromosome?
A thread like structure composed of genes found inside the nucleus of plant and animal cells.
What do chromosomes contain?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
Describe the structure of a DNA molecule?
Two strands twisted together into a double helix.
What does each strand of DNA have a chain of?
Base molecules.
What are the two strands in a DNA molecule held together by?
Weak bonds between pairs of bases.
What are the DNA bases?
Adenine, Thymine, guanine and cytosine.
What are the complementary bases?
Adenine fits with Thymine and Guanine fits with Cytosine.
How does the DNA from one species member differ from that of another member?
By the order of the bases in their chromosomes.
What is it in the DNA that controls an organisms inherited characteristics?
The order of the sequence of bases along the DNA strands. It contains the genetic instructions.
What is the region of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a protein called?
A gene, it is normally hundreds or even thousands of bases long.
What does the information present in the DNA take the form of?
A molecular language called the genetic code.
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Amino acid molecules.
How does a gene code for a particular protein?
By making a messenger molecule that is complementary to one of its DNA strands. This molecule is called messenger RNA (mRNA).
Where does the mRNA carry the genetic code from the gene’s DNA in the nucleus?
Into the cytoplasm and to a ribosome.
What happens when mRNA meets a ribosome?
The genetic information is used to make amino acid molecules that become assembled into the correct order to form a molecule of protein.
