Genetic Structure Part 1.2

Question 1

Describe the characteristics of Deoxyribonucleic Acids (DNA)

Answer 1

-> There are four bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine
-> According to the complementary base pairing rule, the former two must group and the latter two group.
-> Nucleotide = base + sugar + phosphate group
-> DNA is made up of long strands of two nucleotide that are side by side.
-> Described from the 5 prime base to the 3 prime base; one spot on the DNA = locus

Question 2

Describe alleles

Answer 2

-> An allele is a form of variation of genes
-> A gene can have more than two alleles
-> The dominant allele will show it’s phenotype of the child inherits the dominant allele from either parent
-> If there is no dominant allele, the recessive allele will show.
-> Same allele = homozygous; different allele = heterozygous

Question 3

Explain mutation

Answer 3

-> Change of genetic content of the DNA. Therefore people have different traits.
-> Happens to every species
-> Can be beneficial/neutral/negative
-> Ways of change:
1. Change of base (e.g., T -> A)
2. Insertion of DNA
3. Deletion of DNA
4. Whole or partial chromosomal abnormalities

irreversible

Question 4

Describe genes

Answer 4

-> A pattern/segment on the DNA
-> Genes can affect various forms of the phenotype
-> Genes can mutate (irreversible)
-> Genes can merge
-> Genes can be switched on and off throughout life

Question 5

Briefly explain transcription and translation of DNA, and how many amino acids are there in total?

Answer 5

-> Key process for DNA to show the phenotypes that we have
-> RNA can copy and store the information of the DNA (base pairing)
-> The copied information will be transported to the robosome by the mRNA
-> The chemical substances in the robosome will translate the codons (3 bases transcribe) and release the corresponding amino acids to form the proteins.

-> 20 amino acids