Unit 4 - Genetic Information and Variation Flashcards
(80 cards)
Gene
- A section of DNA that codes for a specific sequence of amino acids which makes up the primary structure of a protein
- Alternatively codes for functional RNA (rRNA or tRNA)
Allele
- An alternative form of a gene
- Occupies the same locus as a gene
Locus
The position on a gene where a chromosome is situated
4 Features of the Genetic Code
- Triplet Code
- Degenerate
- Non -Overlapping
- Universal Code
Features: Triplet Code
- 3 bases code for 1 amino acid
- 3 bases are known as a codon
Feature: Degenerate
- Most amino acids are coded for by more than 1 triplet code
- This minimises the risk of substitution mutations having an impact on the sequence of amino acids
Feature: Non-Overlapping
- Each base is read only once in each triplet
- E.g CACGGACAGGCCATGGGT is read as [CAC] [GGA] [CAG], etc
Feature: Universal Code
- A triplet code will always code for the same amino acid
- E.g ATG will never not code for methionine (Met)
Transcription
The process by which an mRNA copy of a gene is formed
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
A transcript copy of a gene used to encode a polypeptide
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
A clover leaf shaped sequence that carries an amino acid (involved in translation)
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
A primary component of ribosomes
Transcription Process
- DNA in the nucleus
- RNA polymerase binds to the start of a gene
- RNA polymerase unwinds the helix and makes a copy of the template strand
- Copy is made by matching complementary RNA nucleotides to the DNA nucleotides on the template (antisense) strand
- RNA nucleotides covalently bond, forming pre-mRNA
- DNA behind the RNA polymerase rejoins into a double helix
- When the RNA polymerase reaches a terminator, the chain is terminated and pre-mRNA detaches; the the double helix reforms
- mRNA goes to the ribosomes (in prokaryotes for translation
Pre-mRNA
- Product of transcription
- Contains exons (coding regions) and introns (non-coding regions)
- Before leaving the nucleus and and undergoing translation, introns are removed to form mature mRNA
- Process only occurs in eukaryotes
- Prokaryotic RNA doesn’t contain introns
What happens to introns once they are removed?
Introns are broken down back into nucleotides ready for use
Spliceosome
Forms and causes the introns to form loops which allows exons to be joined and introns to be removed
Differences between Prokaryotic DNA and Eukaryotic DNA
- DNA molecules are short, circular and aren’t associated with proteins (histones) in prokaryotes
- DNA molecules are very long, linear and associated with proteins (histones) in eukaryotes
- DNA is found in a membrane-bound nucleus in eukaryotes
- Mitochondria and chloroplast DNA can be found in eukaryotes (it is short, circular and not associated with proteins)
Translation
- mRNA attaches to ribosome
- tRNA anticodons bind to complementary codons on mRNA
- tRNA brings specific amino acid to the codon
- tRNA detaches from mRNA
- the amino acids join by peptide bonds and ribosome moves along the mRNA until a stop codon is reached
Mutation
- Any change to one or more nucleotide bases or a change in the sequence of bases in the DNA
- Gene Mutations arise spontaneously during DNA replications
Locations of Genetic Mutations
- Germline (happens in gametes)
- Somatic (happens in body cells)
Point Mutation
Changes in a nucleotide base
Frameshift Mutation
Addition or deletion of a nucleotide base, causing all the bases to be read differently
Types of Point Mutations
- Silent point mutations
- Missense point mutations
- Nonsense point mutations
Silent Point Mutations
- There is no change to the primary structure of the polypeptide despite the change in a nucleotide base
- Occurs when the substituted base still codes for the same amino acid
- Possible as genetic code is degenerate