DNA, Genes & Protein Synthesis (Chapter 8) Flashcards
What is the structure of DNA?
DNA is a double helix composed of two strands of nucleotides.
What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?
Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).
Which nitrogenous bases pair together in DNA?
Adenine pairs with Thymine, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.
True or False: DNA is made up of amino acids.
False.
What is a gene?
A gene is a sequence of DNA that codes for a specific protein.
What is the function of mRNA?
mRNA (messenger RNA) carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Fill in the blank: The process of copying DNA into RNA is called __________.
transcription.
What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis?
tRNA (transfer RNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation.
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA -> RNA -> Protein.
What are introns and exons?
Introns are non-coding regions of a gene, while exons are coding regions that are translated into protein.
True or False: All mutations are harmful.
False.
What is a point mutation?
A point mutation is a change in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.
What is the role of RNA polymerase?
RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.
Define ‘codon’.
A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides that corresponds to a specific amino acid.
What are the three stages of translation?
Initiation, elongation, and termination.
Fill in the blank: The genetic code is __________.
degenerate.
What is the difference between DNA and RNA?
DNA is double-stranded and contains deoxyribose, while RNA is single-stranded and contains ribose.
What is a silent mutation?
A silent mutation is a change in the nucleotide sequence that does not alter the amino acid sequence of a protein.
What is a frameshift mutation?
A frameshift mutation is caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides that change the reading frame of the gene.
What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
Ribosomes are the sites where translation occurs, synthesizing proteins from amino acids.