Molecular_Genetics_Study_Flashcards

Question 1

DNA is a polymer – what is the monomer that DNA is made of?

Answer 1

Nucleotide

Question 2

What are the three parts of every nucleotide?

Answer 2

Phosphate group, deoxyribose sugar, nitrogenous base

Question 3

What are the four nitrogen bases in DNA?

Answer 3

Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G)

Question 4

What are the base pairing rules for DNA?

Answer 4

A pairs with T, C pairs with G

Question 5

How does DNA replication occur?

Answer 5

The DNA double helix unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for a new strand.

Question 6

What does DNA have the instructions for making?

Answer 6

Proteins

Question 7

What is a gene?

Answer 7

A segment of DNA that codes for a protein or functional RNA

Question 8

What are the two main steps in protein synthesis?

Answer 8

Transcription and Translation

Question 9

Explain what happens in transcription (and where in a cell this occurs).

Answer 9

In transcription, the DNA is used to create a complementary mRNA strand in the nucleus.

Question 10

How are the base pairing rules for RNA different from the base pairing rules for DNA?

Answer 10

In RNA, uracil (U) pairs with adenine (A) instead of thymine (T).

Question 11

What messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence would be made from this strand of DNA? AAT GCA CAG TTA

Answer 11

UUA CGU GUC AAU

Question 12

What is the “protein factory” called?

Answer 12

Ribosome

Question 13

Explain what happens in translation. And what role does tRNA play in translation?

Answer 13

In translation, the mRNA is read by the ribosome, and tRNA brings the corresponding amino acids.

Question 14

What is a mutation?

Answer 14

A change in the DNA sequence that can affect gene function.

Question 15

What is the difference between a base substitution mutation, and an addition or deletion mutation?

Answer 15

Base substitution changes one base, while addition or deletion adds or removes a base from the sequence.

Question 16

Why does a base addition or deletion always change the amino acid sequence?

Answer 16

It shifts the reading frame, changing the sequence of codons and thus the amino acid sequence.

Question 17

One possible effect of a mutation is that it could be neutral (no change). What are the other two possible effects, which one is more common, and why is it more common?

Answer 17

The other two effects are beneficial and harmful. Harmful is more common because mutations often disrupt gene function.

Question 18

What are STR’s, and how can they be used to identify someone?

Answer 18

STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) are repeating sequences of DNA that vary in length among individuals, used for identification.

Question 19

List 2 reasons why we might test someone’s DNA.

Answer 19

To diagnose genetic disorders, for forensic analysis.

Question 20

List 3 ways that we use genetic engineering to improve our lives.

Answer 20

Creating genetically modified crops, producing insulin, gene therapy for diseases.

Question 21

What is CRISPR, and (basically) how does it work?

Answer 21

CRISPR is a gene-editing technology that uses a guide RNA to target specific DNA sequences for modification.