Grade 12 - DNA & RNA - Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
What is DNA?
Nucleic acid that composes chromosomes and carries genetic information.
CHROMOSOME ORGANIZATION
- A chromosome is an enormous strand of super coiled DNA.
- Sections of DNA on the chromosome that code for proteins are called genes.
- Noncoding sections of DNA used to be called “junk DNA” (regulatory or unknown function)
Explain the relationship between Chromosomes and Genes
Explain the building blocks of DNA
Composed of nucleotides
Nucleotides contain three parts:
- 5-Carbon Sugar (deoxyribose)
- Phosphate Group
- Nitrogen Base
(four types: adenine, guanine,
thymine and cytosine)
What are Adenine and Guanine?
Adenine and Guanine are purines (composed of two rings of nitrogen atoms)
What are Thymine and Cytosine?
Thymine and Cytosine are pyrimidines (composed of one ring of nitrogen atoms)
Explain the structure of DNA:
Consists of two strands of nucleotides that form a twisted ladder (double helix)
Sugar and phosphate alternate along the sides of the ladder (linked by strong covalent bonds)
Pairs of nitrogen bases form the rungs of the ladder (linked by weak hydrogen bonds).
Explain Chargaff’s Rule:
Specific base pairing arrangement
A-T : 2 hydrogen bonds
C-G : 3 hydrogen bonds
Nitrogen bases attach to the sugar portion of the side (NOT the phosphate)
Strands run in opposite directions
What is the function of DNA?
DNA codes for proteins (structural proteins, enzymes, and hormones)
information for building proteins is carried in the sequence of nitrogen bases
proteins determine physical and metabolic traits and regulate growth and development.
DNA REPLICATION
Definition: the process of making a new DNA molecule from an existing DNA molecule that is identical to the original.
Where does DNA Replication take place?
The nucleus of the cell – during interphase of mitosis (in between cell divisions)
What is the purpose of DNA Replication?
DNA replication ensures that the genetic code is transferred to each daughter cell.
This gives daughter cells produced by cell division a complete set of genetic information identical to the parent cell.
During which phase does replication occur?
Interphase (s)
PROCESS OF REPLICATION(Description of diagram)
- Helicase enzymes unzip the parent strand by separating the nitrogen base pairs.
- DNA polymerase pairs free DNA nucleotides in the nucleoplasm with the exposed bases on both strands following the base pair rules.
- Hydrogen bonds reform spontaneously sealing the two strands of each DNA molecule together.
What are the results of replication?
- Two molecules of DNA that are identical to the original DNA strand.
- Each is half old (strand from parent) and half new (strand synthesized by DNA polymerase)
What does RNA stand for?
Ribonucleic Acid
What is RNA?
Nucleic acid involved in the synthesis of proteins
What is RNA STRUCTURE composed of?
- RNA is composed of nucleotides, but these differ from DNA in three ways.
- Single strand of nucleotides instead of double stranded.
- Has uracil instead of thymine.
- Contains ribose instead of deoxyribose.
What is the function of RNA?
Three forms of RNA involved in protein synthesis
What is protein
1. mRNA (messenger): copies instructions in DNA and carries these to the ribosome.
2. tRNA (transfer): carries amino acids to the ribosome.
3. rRNA (ribosomal): composes the ribosome.
What is protein synthesis?
- Cells build proteins following instructions coded in genes (DNA).
- Consists of two parts, transcription and translation
TRANSCRIPTION
**DNA is copied into a complementary strand of mRNA.
WHY?
* DNA cannot leave the nucleus. Proteins are made in the cytoplasm. mRNA serves as a “messenger” and carries the protein building instructions to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
LOCATION OF TRANSCRIPTION
Nucleus
HOW TRANSCRIPTION OCCURS
- RNA polymerase untwists and unzips a section of DNA (usually a single gene) from a chromosome.
- RNA polymerase pairs free RNA nucleotides to the exposed bases of one of the DNA strands following base pair rules.
Uracil replaces thymine
Only 1 strand of DNA serves as a template, the other “hangs out” - Newly synthesized mRNA separates from template DNA and DNA zips back up.