exam #3 Flashcards
Describe the origin and function of DNA.
- Passed from parents to offspring
- Serves as the instruction manual for how to build and individual
Describe the location of DNA in eukaryotic cells
- Found in the nucleus
- In the form of a chromosome
Describe the structure of chromosomes
Single DNA molecule wrapped around proteins
Describe the number and origin of the chromosomes in human cells
- 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 chromosomes in total)
- One chromosome from each pair is inherited from the biological mother, and the other from the father
Identify the 4 types of DNA nucleotides and their basic structure
- Adenine
- Thymine
- Guanine
- Cytosine
- Phosphate, sugar, and base
Which two parts of the nucleotides form the DNA backbone?
Sugars and phosphates
Explain how nucleotides are linked together to form individual DNA strands.
Held together by covalent bonds between the 5’ phosphate group and 3’ -OH group
Explain how two DNA strands are bonded together to form a double helix.
Held together by hydrogen bonds between the bases of each strand
Understand and describe which feature of DNA varies among individuals, making each of us unique.
- Specific sequence of nucleotides along a strand of DNA is unique to each individual
- The order of the bases determines individual characteristics
What is the nucleotide base pairing rule?
- A always pairs with T
- C always pairs with G
Why must DNA replicate in living cells
For growth, repair, and regeneration of tissues
Describe the steps in DNA replication
- Separating strands – hydrogen bonds are broken and the helicase enzyme unwinds DNA
- Adding nucleotides – DNA polymerase reads DNA and adds complementary nucleotides
The role of enzymes; helicase and DNA polymerase
- Helicase: break hydrogen bonds and unwind DNA
- DNA polymerase – reads DNA and adds complementary nucleotides
What is semiconservative method?
- DNA replication produces two copies of the original DNA molecules
- Each molecule consists of one of the strands of the original DNA molecule and a new strand
Why is PCR used?
To amplify (replicate) a specific DNA segment to study it
Describe the steps of PCR
- Put DNA, free nucleotides, polymerase enzyme, and primers into a tube
- Heat and cool to allow strands to separate and pair with new nucleotides
What ‘ingredients’ are used in PCR
- DNA
- A, T, C, G
- DNA polymerase
- primers
Compare and contrast PCR to natural replication
- Natural replication happens naturally
- PCR happens in a tube
- PCR can make billions of copies with just a sample of DNA
- Natural replication only makes two new DNA strands at a time
- Both make copies of DNA
What is DNA profiling?
- Visual representation of a person’s unique DNA sequence
- Allows us to identify the unique characteristics in the DNA of a person
What is a genome?
Complete set of genetic instructions encoded in all the chromosomes of an organism
Explain what are STR (short tandem repeats)?
Sections of a chromosome in which short DNA sequences are repeated
Explain how PCR and gel electrophoresis are used to create a DNA profile?
- PCR is used to amplify the STR regions
- Gel electrophoresis is used to separate the STRs
Given a picture of a gel, be able to distinguish similarities and differences in individuals.
Smaller fragments travel farther in the gel than larger fragments
How many STRs should be analyzed to generate a unique DNA?
At least 15 STR regions
What does PCR stand for?
polymerase chain reaction
define proteins
Macromolecule made of repeating amino acid subunits
define genes
A sequence of DNA that contains the instructions to make one or more proteins