Lecture 1.1 & 1.2: DNA + Lecture 3.2: Mutations Flashcards
Nucleic Acids
DNA
RNA
How many chromosomes do somatic human cells have?
23 chromosome pairs
46 chromosomes
How is DNA packaged in the nucleus? (4 steps)
DNA is wrapped around histones to form nucleosomes
Nucleosomes then tightly pack into solenoid structures forming 30nm fibres
These fibres compact into several heirarchical loops
These create highly condensed structures called chromosomes
Structure of a DNA molecule
Double helix
Polynucleotide
Antiparallel strands
Phosphodiester bonds between adjacent nucleotides
Hydrogen bonds between parallel nucleotides (A&T have 2, G&C have 3)
Structure of nucleotide (DNA)
Deoxyribose Sugar
Phosphate Group
Nitrogenous Base
Covalent bond between base and sugar at C1
Purines (2 rings)
Guanine
Adenine
Pyrimidines (1 ring)
Cytosine
Thymine
Uracil
Structure of RNA
Single strand
Polynucleotide
Ribose Sugar
Phosphate Group
Bases (G,C,A,U)
Cell Cycle (4)
G1: Cell grows and prepares for DNA replication, organelles are duplicated
S: The DNA within the cell is replicated
G2: The cell prepares for cell division (by growing more)
M: Mitosis occurs
When are checkpoints in the cell cycle?
G1 and G2
DNA is checked and double checked to ensure that cells with faulty DNA are not replicated
Mitosis (4/5 steps)
Prophase: DNA condenses into chromosomes
Metaphase: Chromosomes line up in centre of cell above/ below each other
Anaphase: Spindle fibres form from centrosome and pull the chromatids apart at the centromere to opposite poles of the cell
Telophase: The nuclear envelope begins to reform around chromosomes at each pole of cell and cell membrane begins to pinch in between the 2 sides of the cell
[Cytokenesis: the cell membrane pinches in, cytoplasm divides, and 2 new separate, identical daughter cells are formed]
Gametes
Sex cells
Halpoid (only 23 chromosomes not 46)
Produced via meiosis
Meiosis (8 steps)
P1: DNA condenses into chromosomes
M1: Homologous chromosomes line up in centre of cell next to each other, crossing over occurs at the chiasmata (increases variation)
A1: Spindle fibres form from centrosome and pull the chromosomes (randomly arranged so independent segregation) to opposite poles of cell
T1: The nuclear envelope reforms around chromosomes and cell membrane pinches in between the 2 poles of the cell
P2: DNA condenses into chromosomes again
M2: Chromosomes line up in centre of cell above/ below each other
A2: Spindle fibres form from centrosome and pull the chromatids apart at the centromere to opposite poles of the cell
T2: The nuclear envelope reforms around chromosomes and cell membrane pinches in between the 2 poles of the cell
Thus 4 non-identical, haploid daughter cells form
Non-disjunction
Is when the chromosomes in a cell do not separate properly during anaphase, this produces daughter cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes
What is meiotic arrest?
Is when meiotic process is stopped before the gametes (sperm/ova) can fully mature
This means that gametes are not produced (as they are destroyed/ aborted)