Genetics Lecture 1: DNA - Structure and Function Flashcards
Heredity
The tendency of an organism to possess the characteristics of its parents.
Genes
The elements or units which transfer/carry inherited information from parents to offspring.
Genome
The complete DNA sequence, containing all genetic information.
Covalent Structure of DNA
Very long polymer made of deoxyribonucleotide building blocks, where each unit is made of a base, a sugar and a phosphate.
Nucleotide
Base - Sugar - Phosphate
They are the building blocks for nucleic acids.
Phosphate Easter Link
Link between the sugar and the phosphate. It is most often on the 5’ Carbon.
Deoxyribon
The Sugar in DNA. It’s derived from 5 carbon atoms.
Bases
Nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds
What are the two types of bases?
Purines and Pyrimidines.
Name the two Purines.
Adenine and Guanine.
Name the two Pyrimidines.
Cytosine, Thymine (only in DNA), and Uracil (only in RNA).
What direction do you read DNA’s backbone?
5’ to 3’
i.e. 5 Prime to 3 Prime.
What is a protein sequence?
The ordered list of amino acids (Gly - Cys - Val)
How many Nucleotides encode 1 Amino Acid?
3 Nucleotides
State the Central Dogma.
DNA makes RNA make Protein.
What is the process of replication?
DNA making more DNA.
How are the nucleotide bases bonded?
Hydrogen Bonds. Each nucleotide base is bonded to a complementary base on the other strand.
What are the 6 main features of DNA?
- Sugar - Deoxyribon
- Bases - Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine and Guanine
3, Double Stranded Helix - More stable
- Long lived Molecules
- Used as information Store
Describe Rosie.
Rosie is gentle, kind, sweet, loving and in the same breath, one of the most kick ass girls that I’ve ever met. She’s comfortable in her own skin, she’s always thinking about others and tries her absolute best to be nothing but herself. She’s got a subtle groove about her that makes every day just that bit better.
She also made it to the end of these BIOL notes and that in itself is worth commendation.
