Genetics Flashcards
Describe how genetic material is in eukaryotic cells
Very long molecules of DNA
DNA is linear
DNA is associated with proteins called histones forming chromosomes
Describe how genetic material is prokaryotic cells
Only DNA and is not associated with proteins
DNA is circular
DNA is shorter
Found in multiple organelles (mitochondria + chloroplast)
What is a gene?
It is a section of DNA at a particular site on a DNA molecule and occupies a fixed position (locus) and used to code for a specific polypeptide chain
What does a gene code for?
A gene has a specific base sequence that codes for sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain and can code for functional RNA (tRNA / rRNA)
What is a Triplet Code?
A sequence of 3 bases in the DNA codes for a specific amino acid
What are alleles?
Alternative forms of Genes
What is the genetic code?
Sequence of bases in the DNA that determines the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain
Explain the features of the genetic code
It’s a Triplet Code (3 bases of the DNA coding for 1 specific amino acid)
Universal in all organisms (indirect evidence of evolution)
Non overlapping + Degenerate
What is the Genome?
The complete set of genes in a cell
What is the proteome?
The full range of proteins that a cell can produce
Explain the process of Transcription?
Involves producing mRNA from DNA in nucleus
1) DNA unwind as hydrogen bonds broken
2) one strand acts as a template to produce a strand of mRNA
3) RNA nucleotides attracted to exposed DNA bases due to comp. base pair rulings
4) the mRNA leaves nucleus via nuclear pores and enter cytoplasm
5) DNA reformed once required mRNA produced
6) Transcription catalysed by enzyme RNA-Polymerase
Explain the process of Amino Acid Activation?
Takes place in cytoplasm. tRNA has a region called anticodon which is a set of 3 bases complementary to a codon of mRNA. Each tRNA has an amino acid binding site. During the process, each tRNA binds with its specific amino acid and is determined by anticodon and requires energy
Explain the process of Translation
1) mRNA associates with a ribosome
2) first 2 codons (6bases) of mRNA enter ribosome.
3) first one attracts it’s complementary tRNA anticodon with its specific amino acid
4) then the second codon does the same
5) ribosome acts as a framework hold mRNA and tRNA together until peptide bond forms between amino acids
6) peptide bond forms between 2 amino acids using energy released by the breaking of the bond between the first codon and amino acid
7) ribosome continues along mRNA with amino acids to polypeptide chain until it reaches a stop codon and the chain is released
8) Primary structure determined and then folds to its secondary/tertiary
What is a polysome?
When several ribosomes move along the mRNA; structure called polysome
What are introns?
Non coding regions within the gene (interruptions). They are between the exons which are the coding regions