Genetics Flashcards
What is DNA and where is it found?
It is genetic material found in the chromosomes in the nucleus of cells
What is a gene?
A short piece of DNA that codes for a specific protein (eg. eye colour)
What is the structure of DNA?
Two strands of coiled molecules twisted in a double helix
How are the strands of the double helix joined together?
Complementary pairs of bases (AT, CG). These pairs are held together by weak hydrogen bonds
What is a genome?
The base sequence of all the DNA in an organism
Eg:
ACTGCGTA
Name the two processes of protein synthesis and state where they occur
Transcription - nucleus
Translation - cytoplasm
Define chromosome and allele
Chromosome: a long strand of DNA
Allele: an alternative form of a gene
Define heterozygous and homozygous
Hetero: when an organism carries different alleles of a gene (eg. XY)
Homo: when an organism carries two copies of the alleles of a gene (eg. XX)
Define genotype
This shows the alleles in an organism
Define phenotype
The characteristics that are produced from the genotype
How is a mutation in genetics caused?
If the sequence of bases in a gene in changed
What can a mutation affect?
The phenotype of an organism
