Genetics Flashcards
What are chromosomes?
Long molecules of DNA inside a nucleus.
23 pairs inside the nucleus of body cells.
What is DNA?
DeoxyriboNucleic Acid. It is a chemical that all genetic material in a cell is made from. It is a polymer. It is made up of two strands coiled together as a double helix.
What is the structure of DNA?
DNA strands are polymers made up of repeating nucleotides.
Each nucleotide is made up of one sugar (deoxyribose) and a phosphate.
The sugar phosphate molecules form the backbone to the DNA stands. One of the four bases ACTG joins to the sugar molecule.
How do the bases pair in DNA?
A-T and G-C
How many bases code for an amino acid?
Three/triplets
What is a gene?
Small section of DNA found on a chromosome
Genes tell cells in what order/sequence to put amino acids in to make specific protein.
How are proteins synthesised?
DNA unwinds exposing one strand.
An mRNA copy is made using the DNA as a template.
U replaces T.
The first stage happens in the nucleus.
mRNA is single stranded and can leave through the DNA pore.
Proteins are made in the cytoplasm.
The ribosome reads the mRNA . Every three bases codes for an amino acid.
The correct amino acids are brought to the ribosome by carrier molecules. tRNA. This stage is called translation.
What do genes code for?
A particular sequence of AMINO ACIDS put together to make SPECIFIC PROTEINS
What is a genome ?
The entire set of genetic material in an organism
Why is it important to understand the human genome? (3)
1)Allows scientists to IDENTIFY GENES that link to different types of disease i.e Down Syndrome
2)Development of effective treatments
3)Can be used to trace migration of certain populations by tiny differences in GENOMES.
How many chromosomes are in a normal body cell?
46 or 23 pairs
How many chromosomes in a gamete (sex cell)?
23
Give 3 details of sexual reproduction in plants/animals
-Animal gametes -egg & sperm
- Plant gametes-ovule & pollen
-Each gamete contains 23 chromosomes
-nucleus of both gametes fuses=mixture of genetic info=variation in offspring
Give 3 details of Asexual reproduction
-One parent
-Genetically identical offspring-clone
-Happens by mitosis
Give 2 examples of organisms that reproduce asexually
Bacteria
Some animals & plants
What type of cell division are gametes (sex cells) produced by?
Meiosis