Exam 3 Flashcards
What does it mean to say that the code is degenerate?
It means that some amino acids are encoded by more than one codon
What does it mean to say that the code is universal?
It means that the genes involved in translation are evolutionarily conserved among all organisms
What is the function of ribosomes?
Catalyze protein synthesis
What is the function of tRNAs?
“Translate” the genetic code from mRNA into an amino acid sequence
What can be said of functional RNA? Why?
They make up the largest fraction of cellular RNA at 95% due to their increased stability over mRNA and their high transcriptional activity
What is the function of tRNA synthetases and what is an example?
Attach specific amino acids to specific tRNA like glycine-tRNA synthetase catalyzes charging of glycine-tRNA
What is the process of translation initiation?
IF3 blocks binding of large to small ribosomal subunit, allowing mRNA to bind to the small subunit; pairing between Shine-Delgarno sequence in mRNA and complementary sequence in 16S rRNA positions mRNA for initiation; IF2 binds GTP and met-tRNA and brings them into the P site; Finally, large subunit associates
with the complex, hydrolyses GTP (releasing energy), and releases IF2 and IF3
What is the process of translation elongation?
EF-Tu escorts the charged tRNA into the A site; EF-Ts catalyze release of EF-Tu and GDP from the ribosome; peptidyl transferase catalyzes the formation of peptide bond between amino acids in A and P sites; EF-G catalyzes release of uncharged tRNA and the movement of the ribosome one codon further down the mRNA
What is the process of translation termination?
Release factors recognize stop codons in the A site, discharge polypeptide chain, and dissociate ribosomal subunits (RF1 recognizes UAA and UAG and RF2 recognizes UAA and UGA)
What is the wobble effect?
The third nucleotide of an anticodon on the 5’ end can form either H bonds with its complementary nucleotide in the 3rd position of the codon or with a different nucleotide in that position
What is a peptide bond?
Covalent bonds that link amino acids by linking the amino end of one acid to the carboxyl end of another acid
What happens during formation of a peptide bond?
One water molecule is removed
What is a primary protein?
Linear sequence of amino acids
What is a secondary protein?
Local regions of polypeptides are folded into shapes (helices, beta pleated sheet, zinc finger, etc.)
What is a tertiary protein?
Spatial arrangement of amino acids and secondary structures that are farther apart in the linear sequence
What is a quaternary protein?
2 or more folded polypeptides (hemoglobin)
What is an active site?
Pocket in the enzyme where the substrate binds
What is the formation of a peptide bond described as?
A ribosome-catalyzed dehydration reaction
When comparing the polarity of mRNA to the primary amino acid sequence, it can be said that?
The 5’ end of mRNA corresponds to the amino terminus of the protein and the 3’ end of mRNA corresponds to the carboxy terminus of the protein
A tRNA with an anticodon 3’ - ACC - 5’ would carry the amino acid…
Tryptophan
What are the steps of DNA recombination?
Isolate target DNA, cut DNA, ligate target DNA into vector
What is a clone?
Genetic copy of an entire organism or an individual gene
What is a vector?
Carrier of DNA molecule of interest such as a plasmid, phage, or cosmid
What is an insert?
DNA molecule of interest that is a genomic DNA fragment, protein coding sequence, or PCR product
What are some features of vectors?
Has multiple cloning site, selectable marker, and origin of replication
What is a multiple cloning site?
Multiple restriction sites clustered together in a short stretch of vector DNA
What is a selectable marker?
A phenotype test used to select for plasmids with DNA inserts
What is origin of replication?
Required for plasmid replication in bacteria in order to start replicating DNA
What are restriction enzymes or endonucleases?
Enzymes that cut DNA by recognizing specific DNA sequences and produce sticky or blunt ends
What specific DNA sequences do restriction enzymes recognize?
Sites are usually palindromic, recognize 4-8 base pairs, and the enzyme binds to the DNA as a dimer
What is DNA ligase?
Enzyme used to covalently link DNA fragments back together to produce recombinant plasmids
Where is the sticky end EcoR1 cut?
5’-G/AATTC-3’
3’-CTTAA/G-5’ so there’s a 5’ overhang
Where is the sticky end Pst1?
5’-CTGCA/G-3’
3’-G/ACGTC-5’ so there’s a 3’ overhang
What is the blunt end Stu1?
5’-AGG/CCT-3’
3’-TCC/GGA-5’
What is antibiotic selection?
Antibiotics used to select for bacteria containing plasmids
What is the process of making a genomic DNA library?
Isolate genomic dNA, digest genomic DNA with restriction enzymes, ligate digested genomic DNA into vector, and transform vector into bacteria
What is the process of making a cDNA library?
RNA is purified from tissue or cell lines, mRNA is purified from rRNA and tRNA by using a column with oligodT to bind the polyA tail, mRNA treated with reverse transcriptase, treated Taq polymerase used to make a second strand, cDNA inserted into cloning vector, cDNA ligated to vector, and vector transformed into bacteria
What is PCR?
A series of in vitro reactions to synthesize billions of copies of a specific DNA target
What does Taq polymerase do in PCR?
Adds dNTPs