Molecules Of Life Flashcards
What is the mitochondria
Respiration happens here
How is genetic information carried
By genes, which are on chromosomes. They are long coils of DNA
What code does the nucleus contain
What does this code control
The genetic code
This controls cell activity and some characteristics of the whole organism
What is a DNA molecule made up of
Explain the form of the genetic code
Two strands coiled in a double helix
The genetic code is in the form of a chemical code made up of four bases holding the two strands of DNA together
Who are credited with the discovery of DNA in 1953
Watson and Crick
They thought it was a triple helix and needed an x-ray by Rosalind Franklin to confirm it was double
What do DNA bases code for
Bases code for structure of different proteins (some of which are enzymes) needed for growth and repair of cells
Each DNA molecule codes for a different sequence of bases
What are the four bases in DNA, what do they bond with and what is this pairing called
A, C, G and T
A + T and always C + G
This is complimentary base pairing
Why do muscle cells need a lot of mitochondria
Tissues and active cells use lots of energy so require a lot of energy to function
They need lots of mitochondria to respire, therefore release energy
What is respiration a release of
Energy
In protein synthesis how many bases represents one amino acid to be made
A group of three bases
Each protein has a different shape and function
What structure makes (synthesises) proteins
Ribosomes located in the cytoplasm
For protein synthesis, what is the sequence of the mRNA
To make new amino acids
mRNA is constructed from DNA template in nucleus
mRNA carries code from original DNA into cytoplasm and attaches to ribosome
Ribosome ‘translates’ code on mRNA and constructs sequence of amino acids
Amino acids link in chain of proteins and are released from ribosome
In an animal cell what is the function of the cytoplasm
Reactions happen here
Ribosomes are found here and these make proteins
In protein synthesis what does the sequence of bases represent
The order a cell should assemble amino acids to make the protein
