Genetics Flashcards
Genome
Entire collection of DNA in the cell
Explain the central dogma
The genetic information stored in the form of genes is transcribe into RNA (transcription). The information is then translated into protein form (translation)
DNA-RNA-Protein
Proteome
Entire collection of all proteins in the cell
Codon
a group of three DNA/RNA bases is called a codon
What are the four nitrogenous bases ?
Adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine
What are the base pairs?
Adenine-thymine
Guanine-cytosine
What does RNA do?
Carries information from DNA to the cell’s protein synthesizing machinery
What is chromosome banding?
When stained with particular dyes, chromosomes reveal light and dark bands. These bands reflect the number of AT and GC base pairs and allows individual chromosomes to be identified giving a karyotype.
Karyotype
Complete set of all metaphase chromosomes in the cell.
Describe the centromere
It is responsible for accurate segregation of chromosomes to daughter cells. It is the point where two sister chromatids meet. It also contains the kinetochore where spindle fibres attach during cell division. Chromosomes can be categorised based on the position of the centromere.
Metacentric
Centromere in the centre - both arms equal length
Submetacentric
Arms of unequal length
Acrocentric
The short arm is so small it is difficult to see
Telocentric
Centromere is located at the end of the chromosome
Describe telomeres
Regions found at the end of chromosomes. Do not contain genes just multiple repeats of one short nucleotide sequence. As we age chromosomes get shorter as the telomeres are shortened at each cellular division.
