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Molecular biology > Intro_2_RNA_and_Chromosomes_Flashcards > Flashcards

Intro_2_RNA_and_Chromosomes_Flashcards

1
Q

What does RNA stand for?

A

Ribonucleic acid.

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2
Q

Is RNA single-stranded or double-stranded?

A

Single-stranded.

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3
Q

What are the basic building blocks of RNA?

A

Ribose sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous bases (A, G, C, U).

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4
Q

Which base does RNA have instead of Thymine (T)?

A

Uracil (U).

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5
Q

What is the backbone of RNA made of?

A

Alternating ribose sugars and phosphate groups.

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6
Q

How is RNA different from DNA in terms of sugar?

A

RNA has ribose sugar; DNA has deoxyribose sugar.

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7
Q

What is the function of messenger RNA (mRNA)?

A

Carries genetic code from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

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8
Q

What is the role of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?

A

Forms the core of ribosomes and facilitates protein synthesis.

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9
Q

What does transfer RNA (tRNA) do?

A

Carries specific amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.

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10
Q

What are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)?

A

RNAs that don’t code for proteins but regulate gene expression.

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11
Q

Give examples of ncRNAs.

A

microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and ribozymes.

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12
Q

What percentage of transcriptional output in eukaryotes is ncRNAs?

A

About 97%.

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13
Q

Name three functions of RNA.

A

Protein synthesis, gene regulation, and catalysis.

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14
Q

What is a ribozyme?

A

An RNA molecule with catalytic activity.

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15
Q

How does RNA size compare to DNA?

A

RNA molecules are much shorter than DNA.

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16
Q

How long are most RNA molecules?

A

A few thousand nucleotides.

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17
Q

How is RNA integrity assessed?

A

Using a denaturing agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide.

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18
Q

What does a 2:1 intensity ratio of 28S to 18S rRNA bands indicate?

A

Intact RNA.

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19
Q

What is chromatin?

A

A complex of DNA and proteins that make up chromosomes.

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20
Q

Who discovered chromatin?

A

Walther Flemming.

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21
Q

What is a nucleosome?

A

The basic unit of chromatin, with DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

22
Q

What are the levels of chromatin structure?

A

DNA double helix, nucleosome, 30 nm fiber, chromatin loops, chromosomes.

23
Q

What is euchromatin?

A

Less condensed chromatin that is gene-rich and transcriptionally active.

24
Q

What is heterochromatin?

A

Highly condensed chromatin that is gene-poor and transcriptionally inactive.

25
Q

Name the core histones in nucleosomes.

A

H2A, H2B, H3, and H4.

26
Q

What is the role of linker histone H1?

A

Binds linker DNA and helps form higher-order chromatin structures.

27
Q

What is the function of chromosomes?

A

To carry and protect DNA during cell division.

28
Q

What is a karyotype?

A

An organized visual representation of an individual’s chromosomes.

29
Q

What is the function of the centromere?

A

Attaches chromosomes to spindle fibers during cell division.

30
Q

What are telomeres?

A

Repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect DNA from degradation.

31
Q

How many nucleotides are in the human genome?

A

About 3.2 billion.

32
Q

How many pairs of chromosomes are in the human genome?

A

23 pairs.

33
Q

What percentage of the human genome codes for proteins?

A

About 2%.

34
Q

What was the goal of the Human Genome Project?

A

To sequence the entire human genome.

35
Q

When was the Human Genome Project completed?

A

In 2003.

36
Q

What is genetic polymorphism?

A

Variations in DNA sequences among individuals or populations.

37
Q

What is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)?

A

A DNA sequence variation involving a single nucleotide difference.

38
Q

What are tandem repeats?

A

Repetitive DNA sequences where the number of repeats varies between individuals.

39
Q

What is DNA fingerprinting used for?

A

Forensic investigations and paternity testing.

40
Q

How do RNA and DNA differ in structure?

A

RNA is single-stranded; DNA is double-stranded.

41
Q

What sugar is found in RNA but not in DNA?

A

Ribose (DNA has deoxyribose).

42
Q

What base does RNA have that DNA does not?

A

Uracil (DNA has Thymine).

43
Q

What is a nucleotide?

A

The building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

44
Q

What is a nucleoside?

A

A nucleotide without the phosphate group.

45
Q

What are purines?

A

Double-ring nitrogenous bases (A and G).

46
Q

What are pyrimidines?

A

Single-ring nitrogenous bases (C, T, and U).

47
Q

What bonds link nucleotides in RNA and DNA?

A

Phosphodiester bonds.

48
Q

What does the RNA backbone consist of?

A

Ribose sugars and phosphate groups.

49
Q

What is the function of mRNA?

A

Carries the genetic code from DNA to ribosomes for translation.

50
Q

What is the role of histones in chromatin?

A

Organizing and compacting DNA into nucleosomes.

Molecular biology (10 decks)

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