DNA, genes and chromosomes Flashcards
Compare and contrast prokaryotic DNA and eukaryotic DNA
-Prokaryotic DNA is short, circular and not associated with histones.
-Eukaryotic DNA is long, linear and is bound to histones.
What are genes?
A sequence of DNA bases that codes for either a polypeptide or a functional RNA
What is a cell’s genome?
The complete set of genes in a cell.
What is a cell’s proteome?
The full range of proteins that a cell is able to produce.
What is an allele?
An alternative version of a gene.
What is an homologous pair of chromosomes?
Same size chromosomes with same genes but different alleles.
What are introns?
Non-coding regions of DNA.
What are exons?
Coding regions of DNA.
What is a DNA triplet?
A sequence of 3 bases coding for a specific amino acid e.g. UAU codes for tyrosine.
How is the genetic code universal?
The same specific DNA base triplets code for the same amino acids in all living organisms e.g. UAU codes for tyrosine in all organisms.
How is the genetic code non-overlapping?
It is discrete, each base can only be used once and in only one triplet.
How is the genetic code degenerate?
More than one codon codes for a single amino acid e.g. tyrosine can be code for by UAU or UAC.
