DNA Structure and Organisation Flashcards
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
Genome creates transcriptome creates proteome
DNA makes RNA makes protein
What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?
Adenine
Guanine
Thymine
Cytosine
Which two bases are pyrimidines?
Cytosine and thymine
Which two bases are purines?
Guanine and adenine
What is a gene?
Segment of DNA that corresponds to a single protein/protein variant or a single catalytic/regulatory/structural RNA molecule
How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have?
23 pairs, 46 in total
How many human genes are estimated to be able to produce multiple alternative RNA molecules due to alternative splicing?
Up to 80%
What are exons?
Protein coding region of a gene
What are introns?
Non protein coding regions of a gene
What are transposon?
Nucleic acid sequence that can change its position in the genome
What process drives polynucleotide synthesis?
ATP hydrolysis
What type of bonding occurs with complementary base pairs?
Hydrogen bonds
What is the structure of double stranded DNA?
A double helix with minor and major grooves
What diameter is the nucleus of a cell?
6 um
Chromatin packing allows compaction of DNA to what degree?
50,000 fold compaction
