Final Flashcards
Name the multi-enzyme complex containing RNA that carries out the process of translation.
Ribosome
Underline the open reading frame in this DNA sequence. How many amino acids are in the
encoded protein?
ATGCCCGGGTTTGTACTACCCCTTACCAGGCDTCGTCTAACCGCGCGTCGGT
12 codons
Distinguish between introns and exons?
Introns are non-coding regions of mRNA that are spliced out during RNA processing, while exons are the coding regions.
What is a codon?
A 3 nucleotide sequence that codes for a specific amino acid.
What is a transcription factor?
A protein that binds to the DNA promoter region and either increases or decreases the rate of transcription for that particular gene.
Explain the process of transcription, including roles of all enzymes and molecules discussed in
class (use back of this page if necessary).
Transcription involves copying a gene’s DNA sequence to make an RNA molecule. This is performed by RNA polymerase, which links nucleotides together.
What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA’s?
Eukaryotic RNAs undergo RNA processing to splice out introns and splice together exons, while prokaryotic RNA does not have introns and exons.
What happens when the ribosome encounters a stop codon?
The amino acid chain being synthesized will be released and the ribosome will break into its individual subunits.
Which molecule contains the anticodon?
tRNA
What is RNA splicing and when does it occur?
RNA splicing is the process of removing introns and combining exons of the mRNA strand. It occurs in the nucleus after transcription.
What is meant by the term biotechnology?
Exploiting biological processes to benefit humans in the fields of medicine, agriculture, technology, etc.
What happens to this open reading frame when the first AA doublet is mutated to CC?
5’ ATGCCCGGGTTTGTACTACCCCTTACCAGGCTCGTCTAACCGCGCGTCGGTTAA 3’
It changes the amino acid specified by the codon, changes it into a stop codon.
In detail provided during lecture, explain the genetic engineering that occurred during the
development of golden rice (use back of page if necessary).
Golden rice is a transgenic organism created through genetically engineering a rice plant to express beta carotine. Synthetic enzymes from daffodils were inserted into the golden rice to increase its beta carotine (vitamin A) concentrations.
Name two genetically engineered proteins used in human medicine.
Factor VIII, Insulin
What is the function of a promoter on a plasmid expression vector?
The promoter allows the plasmid expression vector to be recognized by the host cell’s RNA polymerase
As per lecture slide, list or diagram the elements of a plasmid expression vector.
Promoter region, BAMHI, terminator region
Organisms that have been genetically engineered to express genes from unrelated organisms
are termed ________________________________________________.
transgenic organisms
What is a ‘therapeutic protein’?
A protein that is used to create drugs for people who lack the ability to produce that protein on their own. This is used to treat diseases.
How does antisense RNA influence gene expression?
It covers the promoter and prevents mRNA translation
Which bacterium is often used to produce recombinant proteins?
E. coli
What is a transcription factor?
A protein or molecule that binds to the promoter region of DNA and increases or decreases the expression of a certain gene.
How does the zygote form and what happens to the zygote shortly after it forms?
The zygote forms through the process of fertilization: the combination of two haploid gametes (sperm and egg) to form a diploid cell.
When does the process of cleavage occur?
Shortly after fertilization
Distinguish between the terms totipotent and multipotent.
Totipotent: a stem cell that can develop into cells of any tissue type
Multipotent: Stem cells that can only differentiate into cells of a certain lineage
Describe the process of fertilization in an animal.
Fertilization involves the fusion of two haploid gametes to forma diploid zygote.
Describe the mammalian blastocyst.
A small fluid filled sac of undifferentiated totipotent stem cells that forms during the cleavage stage of embryonic development
9) What is a somite?
Clumps of partially determined stem cells that develop into ribs and trunk muscles
What happens to ploidy during animal fertilization?
The ploidy of the gametes is 1n, during fertilization the haploid gametes going to becomes diploid 2n
Proteins called cyclins control entry of a cell into the cell cycle by preventing DNA replication.
How is this related to cancer?
The cell cycle is a highly regulated process. If the cell cycle cannot be controlled, then cells will rapidly divide, which become cancerous. Cyclins regulate the cell cycle, and do not allow cells to uncontrollably divide, thus preventing cancer from arising. Mutations that prevent cyclins from functioning would lead to cancer.
What is the difference between a solid tumor and a liquid tumor?
Solid tumors are rigid and bind to an area in the body. Liquid tumors originate from, and circulate in the blood.
Cells that have become the final functional cell in an adult tissue are termed
________________________________________________.
terminally differentiated
During the process of ___________________, a normal cell in the body is converted into an
cancer cell.
transformation
A _________________________ is a change in the nucleotide sequence of a chromosome.
mutation
Which germ tissue gives rise to a sarcoma?
Mesodermal tissue
List the three categories of genes that are mutated during conversion of a normal cell into a
cancer cell.
Cell cycle controlling genes, genes that regulate apoptosis, and body location genes.