Lecture 4: Molecular Markers

Question 1

Describe the primary level of protein structure.

Answer 1

Amino acid sequence.

Question 2

Describe the secondary level of protein structure.

Answer 2

Coiling and folding of alpha helices and beta sheets.

Question 3

Describe the tertiary level of protein structure.

Answer 3

The 3D shape of the protein.

Question 4

Describe the quarternary level of protein structure.

Answer 4

The links between several polypeptides.

Question 5

Define ‘PCR’.

Answer 5

‘Polymerase Chain Reaction’ is a controlled biochemical reaction that results in the replication, many millions of times, of a targeted piece of DNA.

Question 6

What are the different stages of PCR and what temperature does each stage occur at?

Answer 6

Denaturation (95C) ➡ Annealing (50-65C) ➡ Extension (72C).

Question 7

What stage of PCR requires an enzyme and what enzyme is it?

Answer 7

Annealing - Taq polymerase.

Question 8

How is DNA charged?

Answer 8

Negatively.

Question 9

In electrophoresis, how does molecule size affect the speed of travel of thw molecule?

Answer 9

The smaller the molecule the faster it will travel.

Question 10

Define ‘microsatellite’.

Answer 10

A region of DNA composed of large numbers of repeating units.

Question 11

Give examples of support matrixes used in electeophoresis.

Answer 11

Agarose and polyacrylamide.