Molecular Biology & Genetics 1 - DNA Structure & Replication Flashcards
What did Chargaff investigate?
The different amounts of A, T, C, and G in different species
What did Chargaff find?
That there is different amounts of each base in different species and the amounts of A and T were similar within a species and so were C an G
What was Chargaff’s conclusion?
There is significant DNA variation between species, thus DNA could be the genetic material
What was Chargaff’s first rule?
A=T and C=G
What was Chargaff’s second rule?
The composition of DNA varies between species
What happened after it was proven that DNA was the genetic material?
It was discovered that the DNA structure is a double stranded helical molecule with particular features
What did the X-ray diffraction pattern of DNA show?
DNA has a helical structure, the bases are arranged perpendicular to the length of the DNA molecule and it is double stranded
What wasn’t shown by the X-ray diffraction pattern of DNA?
The arrangement of the bases
What was indicated in the X-ray diffraction pattern that allowed inferences to be made about base arrangement in DNA?
There is a constant diameter which meant that the base pairs must each include a purine and a pyrimidine (A=T and C=G)
How are nucleotides connected?
Nucleotide monomers are joined together with phosphodiester bonds which are covalent to form a polynucleotide = nucleic acid (deoxyribonucleic acid for DNA)
How does the phosphodiester bond form?
The hydroxyl group (OH) on the 3rd carbon of one nucleotide reacts with the phosphate group attached to the 5th carbon on another molecule
What is the product of phosphodiester bonds forming?
Water
How are DNA and RNA synthesised?
They are synthesised in the 3’ to 5’ direction meaning that new bases attach to the 3’ end
What is the direction of the two DNA strands?
The two strands are antiparallel and form a double stranded helix which isn’t uniform
What stabilises the DNA structure?
Hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs
How many hydrogen bonds between A and T?
2
How many hydrogen bonds between C and G?
3
What did the Watson Crick Model of DNA provide?
A stimulus for deciphering the genetic code and a possible mechanism for DNA replication
What happens during semi-conservative replication of DNA?
Each DNA strand of the double helix is used as a template strand for the synthesis of two new strands. Complimentary bases join with each other
What is the result of semi-conservative replication?
2 strands of DNA which each contain one parent (old) strand and one new strand which is why it is called semi-conservative
Why does DNA replication need to occur?
So that when the body needs to make new cells, each cell has a copy of the genetic information
When are new cells made?
At different growth stages, pregnancy and repair of injury
What direction do the parental template strands run in?
3’ to 5’
How many pairs of chromosomes are in humans?
23
How are chromosomes described?
large linear
Where does replication occur and why?
In regions which are rich in AT as this means there is less force holding the strands together and they’re easier to pull apart