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life science > DNA: the code of life > Flashcards

DNA: the code of life Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

nucleic acid

A

a type of organic compound

DNA and RNA are examples of nucleic acids found in the nucleus

a macromolecule (made from monomers, building blocks called nucleotides) AKA polymer

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2
Q

monomer

A

a building block

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3
Q

nucleotide

A

the monomer of nucleic acid, which forms DNA and RNA

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4
Q

DNA

A

 deoxyribonucleic acid is made up of nucleotides
 nitrogenous bases adenine, thymine, guanine and
cytosine ( g cat)
 carries the genetic code for protein synthesis
-type of nucleic acid

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5
Q

nuclear DNA

A

DNA found in the nucleus

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6
Q

extra- nuclear DNA

A

DNA found outside of the nucleus: mitochondrial and
chloroplastic DNA.

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7
Q

double helix

A

the shape of DNA consists of two strands joined together
and twisted spirally

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8
Q

hereditary

A

genetic information passed on from parent to offspring

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9
Q

main functions of DNA (3)

A

1) Controls the functioning of cells
2) Regulate the functioning of genes
3) Passes on hereditary characteristics

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10
Q

RNA

A

Type of nucleic acid

-RNA consists of nucleotides. Nitrogenous bases found in
RNA are adenine, uracil, guanine and cytosine

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11
Q

messenger RNA (structure, formed location, function)

A

structure: single strand with unlimited number of nucleotides

formed location: in nucleoplasm, by complementary nucleotides on DNA template

function: carries genetic code from DNA in nucleus
- acts as messenger

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12
Q

ribosomal RNA (structure, function)

A

structure: single strand (remember: its RNA so single stranded)

function: forms part of ribosome structure in cytoplasm
+ plays role in control of protein synthesis

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13
Q

transfer RNA (structure, location, function)

A

structure: single strand folded back on itself like a hairpin (remember: its RNA so single stranded)

location: in cytoplasm

function: picks up amino acids in cytoplasm according to coding of according to coding of codon (of mRNA) and takes them to the ribosomes for protein synthesis

  • acts as transfer molecule
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14
Q

what are the three types of RNA (ribonucleic acid)

A

1) messenger RNA (mRNA)
2) ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
3) transfer RNA (tRNA)

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15
Q

where is RNA formed and by what

A

all formed in the nucleus by DNA.

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16
Q

name where the 3 diff RNA can be found

A

1) Messenger RNA (mRNA) is formed in the nucleus but then enters the
cytoplasm where it attaches to ribosomes.

2) Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is found in the ribosomes in the cytoplasm of the
cell.

3) Transfer RNA (tRNA) is found freely in the cytoplasm of the cell.

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17
Q

what is the role of RNA

A

The three types of RNA are very important to the process of protein synthesis, with
each type playing a unique role.

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18
Q

how are DNA and RNA similar (3)

A

they both:

1) contain sugar alternating with phosphate (pentose sugar)
2) contain the nitrogenous bases adenine, guanine and cytosine
3) play a role in protein synthesis

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19
Q

how is DNA diff from RNA (4)

A

DNA:

1)contains deoxyribose sugar

2) double helix and coiled

3) contains the nitrogenous base thymine

4) found in the nucleus only

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20
Q

how is RNA diff from DNA

A

RNA:

1) contains ribose sugar

2)single-stranded

3) contains the nitrogenous base uracil

4)found in the nucleus, ribosomes and
cytoplasm of cells

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21
Q

describe the DNA replication process

A
  1. The DNA double helix unwinds (due to enzymes running down the strand, enzyme name “gyrase”, donut shaped)
  2. The weak hydrogen bonds between the
    nitrogenous bases are broken. The DNA
    strands separate (they unzip)(due to another family of enzymes called “helicase”, unzips by breaking the hydrogen bonds)
  3. Each original DNA strand
    serves as a template on which its
    complement is built
  4. Free floating nucleotides build a DNA strand onto
    each of the original DNA strands, attaching
    their complementary nitrogenous bases
    (A to T and C to G)
  5. This results in two identical DNA molecules. Each molecule consists of one
    original strand and one new strand
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22
Q

what is the importance of DNA replication

A

bef cell division (mitosis) , makes extra copy of each chromosome so that the 2 daughter cells produced have their own chromosomes

the gentic info present in the 2 daughter cells is the same as the mother cell

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23
Q

genes

A

stretch of DNA, can be any lengths depending on how much info they have

each gene has the coding for one polypeptide

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24
Q

non coding DNA

A

spaces betw genes

dont code for the making of polypeptide

regulates the expression of gene

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25
Q

what are the complementary DNA nitrogenous base

A

guanine- cytosine
adenine - thymine

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26
Q

what is the name of the pentose sugar in DNA

A

Deoxyribose (hint: from DNAs name )

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27
Q

why is DNA a polymer

A

it is made of Monomers called Nucleotides

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28
Q

central dogma of RNA and protein synthesis

A

DNA makes RNA and RNA makes proteins

DNA-> RNA -> Protein
recipe ->baker-> cake
from recipe bk

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29
Q

what are the 2 stages in which protein synthesis occur

A

Stage 1: Transcription
Stage 2: Translation

30
Q

describe transcription stage in protein synthesis

A

1= A section of the DNA double helix unwinds. As a result,
-the weak hydrogen bonds between the nitrogenous bases of DNA break
- the DNA unzips (in this particular section of the DNA)
NOTE: “polymerase” controls the transfer of code from DNA to RNA.

2= One strand acts as a template

3= This DNA template is used to form a complementary strand of messenger
RNA (mRNA)
- This is done using free RNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm
- The mRNA now contains the code for the protein which will be formed
- Three adjacent nitrogenous bases on the mRNA are known as codons.
These code for a particular amino acid.

4= mRNA moves out of the nucleus through a nuclear pore into the cytoplasm,
where it attaches onto a ribosome

31
Q

desc the translation stage in protein synthesis
(5)

A

1- single mRNA strand formed in nucleus attaches to ribosome ( site for protein synthesis)

2- in ribosome: mRNA provide code for seq of amino acids (to form a specific protein (amino acid attached to tRNA)

3- tRNA picks up amino acid from amino acid pool in cytoplasm.
each tRNA carries specific amino acid.
(amino acid coded for by codons on mRNA, the tRNA anticodons also depend on codons on mRNA, anticodons are complementary to the codons)

4- amino acids join in sequence , this sequence det by mRNA codons.

-> peptide bonds form betw 2 adjacent amino acids (this forms a dipeptide)

-> more than 2 amino acids joined by peptide bonds (this forms a polypeptide chain)

5- after peptide bonds form . tRNA brks its bond with its amino acid (tRNA can now pick up another amino acid of same type

  • process continues till 50+ amino acids join = protein forms
32
Q

mutation

A

A mutation is a change in the nitrogenous base sequence of a DNA molecule
(or a gene)

33
Q

amino acids

A

monomers of proteins

34
Q

base triplet

A

three consecutive nitrogenous bases on DNA

35
Q

transcription

A

1
st stage of protein synthesis – mRNA formed from DNA
carrying code for the protein to be made

36
Q

translation

A

2nd stage of protein synthesis – amino acids combine to form
a protein

37
Q

codon

A

three consecutive nitrogenous bases on mRNA –
these are complementary to the triplet on DNA

38
Q

anti-codon

A

three consecutive nitrogenous bases on tRNA – these
are complementary to the codon on mRNA

39
Q

name 7 DNA profiling / fingerprinting uses

A

1- identify crime suspects in forensic investigations (both samples, one from crime scene,looks exactly the same )

2- identify dead bodies (from DNA bank government has)

3- identify relatives

4- as proof of paternity ( child DNA combo of mother + father )

5- to determine probability and/ or causes of genetic defects

6- to trace missing people

7- to establish compatibility to tissue types for organ transplants

40
Q

organic molecules that control the synthesis of proteins in all living cells by storing and transferring genetic info

A

nucleic acid (RNA)

41
Q

DNA that occurs outside the nucleus

A

extranuclear DNA

42
Q

long, thin thread - like structures that consists of DNA coiled around proteins called histones

A

chromosomes

43
Q

a segment of a dna molecule that codes for a specific protein that controls a heritable characteristic and determines the appearance and functioning of an organism

A

gene

44
Q

the three scientists that received the Nobel Prize for physiology/medicine in 1962 for the discovery of structure of DNA

A

1- James watson
2- Francis crick
3- Maurice wilkins

45
Q

monomer of a nucleic acid composed of sugar, phosphate and a nitrogenous base

A

nucleotide

46
Q

sugar molecule found in a nucleotide of dna

A

deoxyribose

47
Q

the large nitrogenous base molecules, adenine and guanine

A

purine

48
Q

the smaller nitrogenous bases, cytosine and thymine

A

pyrimidine bases

49
Q

the code provided by the base sequence of DNA that gives the instructions for protein synthesis

A

genetic code

50
Q

the dna that does not carry genetic info to produce proteins

A

non coding dna

51
Q

the process by which dna duplicates to form 2 identical copies

A

replication

52
Q

the 2 identical units of a chromosome after replication

A

chromatids

53
Q

the structure that holds 2 chromatids together

A

centromere

54
Q

the 1st step in the extraction of DNA where cells are broken down mechanically and/or chemically

A

lysis

55
Q

the last step in the extraction of DNA during which the DNA becomes visible because it is insoluble in alcohol

A

precipitation / condensation

56
Q

the barcode pattern formed by the base sequence of prepared processed DNA

A

dna profile / dna fingerprint

57
Q

sugar molecule found in a nucleotide of RNA

A

ribose

58
Q

the nitrogenous base that replaces thymine in rna

A

uracil

59
Q

the type of RNA that caries the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm

A

mRNA

60
Q

the type of RNA that picks up specific amino acids in the cytoplasm during protein synthesis and carries them to the ribosomes

A

tRNA

61
Q

the type of RNA that forms part of the structure of the ribosomes in the cytoplasm and plays a role in the control of protein synthesis

A

rRNA

62
Q

3 consecutive nitrogenous bases on a DNA strand that provides the code for a particular amino acid

A

base triplets

63
Q

the process during which mRNA obtains the code for protein synthesis from DNA

A

transcription

64
Q

the enzyme that controls the transfer of the code from the DNA to RNA and brks the weak hydrogen bonds betw the base pairs

A

RNA- polymerase

65
Q

each grp of 3 consecutive bases on mRNA strand that codes for a particular amino acid

A

codon

66
Q

3 exposed nitrogenous bases on a folded loop of each tRNA molecule

A

anticodon

67
Q

the conversion of the code locked in the mRNA strand, to a particular amino acid sequence to build a specific protein

A

translation

68
Q

dna profile/ fingerprint

A

descr of a persons genotype fro his/her unique DNA base pair seq, which is shown as a barcode pattern

69
Q

forensic evidence

A

when biological specimans, eg, skin, blood, saliva, hair or semen are collected from a crime scene and the DNA is used as evidence In a court of law

70
Q

forensic pathologist

A

the person who performs DNA tests on biological evidence found at crime scenes

life science (15 decks)

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