genetics chapter 4 Flashcards
what is an exon?
base sequence coding for a sequence of amino acids/primary structure
what are the three components of nucleotides?
a penrose sugar, a phosphate group, an organic base
describe the structure of DNA
made up of a depxyribose sugar, phosphate group, and one of the four organic bases (A,T,C,G)
hydrogen boned keep the bases together
describe the role of RNA
transfers genetic information for DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis
which bases are purine and which are pyramidine
purine (double ring) = adenine, guanine
pyrimidine (single ring) = cytosine, thymine, uracil
how is DNA diffrent in eukaryotic cells to prokaryotic cells?
eukaryotic cells = found in nucleus, long and linear. associated with histone protiens to form chromosomes.
prokaryotic cells = short and circular. not associated with protiens
what is the gentic code?
the order of bases on DNA, consits of codons (triplets of code that code for a sequence of amino acids).
identify features of gentic code?
non-overlapping = each triplet is only read once
degenerate = more than one triplet codes for the same amino acid.
universal = same bases and sequneces used by all species.
what is a gene?
a seqencue of bases on a DNA molecule that codes for a specific seqence of amino acids to make a polypeptide.
what is a locus?
a fixed position on a DNA molecule occupied by a gene.
what is an allele?
diffrent versions of the same gene, found at the same locus on a chromosome.
what are exons and introns
exons = rigons of DNA that code for amino acid sequences. separated by one or more introns
introns = reigons of DNA that do not code for anything.
where are introns found?
between exons within genes
what is the genome?
the complete set of genetic information contained in the cells of an organism
what is the proteome?
the complete set of protiems that can be produced by a cell
describe the strcture of messenger RNA
a long, single strand. its base sequence is complemetary to the DNA it was ranscribed from.
advantages of using mRNA rather than DNA for translation.
shorter and contains uracil = breaks down quickly so no excess polypeptide forms.
single- stranded and linear = ribosome moves along strand and tRNA being to exposed bases.
contains no introns.
describe the structure of transfer RNA
a single strand of around 80 nucleotides that have been folded over. on one end is an anti-codon, and the opposite end is and amino acid binding site.
what is produced by transcription?
mRNA
where does transcription take place?
in the nucleus
outline the process of transcription
- DNA uncoiled into two strands with exposed bases. one used as a template
-free nucleotides line up next to their complimantary bases, and are joined together by RNA polymerase.
what happens to mRNA after transcription?
in eukaryotic cells, pre-mRNA must be spliced to remove introns, leaving only the coding regions. then it moves out of the nucleus and attaches to a ribosome.
what is produced by translation?
protiens
where does translation take place
in the cytoplasm (on ribosomes)
outline the process of translation
- the anti-codon of tRNA attaches to complemantary bases on the mRNA
-amino acids bonded to tRNA form peptide bonds, continuing to form a polypeptide chain untill a stop condon is reached - this process requires ATP
what is a mutation?
an alteration to the DNA base seqence often arise spontaneosly during DNA replication
why might a mutation not lead to change in tho amino acid sequence?
- genetic code is degenerate so mutation may end up coding for same amino acid as the original triplet
- mutation may occur in intron
what is a substitution mutation?
when a nucleotide in the DNA sequence is replaced by another. this is more likely to be a quiet mutation, meaning no change occurs in the amino acid sequence.
what is a deletion mutation?
when a nucleotide in the DNA sequence is lost. this is more likely to be harmful and significant, as it leads to a frame shift which means the entire amino acid sequence will be different
what is a mutagenic agent?
factors that increase the rate of gene mutation.
what is a polyploidy chromosome mutation?
where an individual has three or more sets of chromosomes instead of two.
what is chromosome non-disjunction?
when chromsomes failto separate correctly in meiosis, resulting in gametes with one more or less chromosome than normal.