DNA, Genes and Chromosomes Flashcards
what is a gene
the specific base sequence of DNa that codes for a specific polypeptide of functional RNA
what is the gene locus?
the position of a gene on the chromosome
which RNA is funcional?
tRNA
rRNA
what is an allele?
various forms of a gene
how many alleles are there for each gene in diploid organisms?
2
heterozygous
different alleles for that gene on each chromosome
homozygous
same alleles for that gene on each chromosome
what is the nature and development of organisms determined by?
genes
what does the sequence of bases in DNA determine?
the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide
what does the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide determine?
shape and function of a protein
what does the shape and function of a protein determine?
the characterists of a cell
why is DNA associated around proteins
it is too long to fit in the cell so must be coiled and compacted into the cell
is prokaryotic DNA longer or shorter than eukaryotic DNA?
shorter
where is prokaryotic DNA present in eukaryotic cells?
in chloroplasts adn mitochondria
karyotype
the number and type of chromosomes in a cell
chromatin
double helix DNA wrapped around histones
chromosome
condensed, super-coiled chromatin
chromatid
1 strand of a replicated chromosome
bivalent
a homologous pair of chromosomes that has replicated
homologous chromosomes
2 chromosomes with the exact same genes in the exact same loci
the genetic code
the sequence of bases along the length of DNA that determines the primary structure of a polypeptide
how many amino acids are there?
20
how many possible combinations of bases are there?
64
degenerate
each triplet codes for one amino acid and each amino acid may have multiple triplets coding for it