PRELIM 03 - Microbial Genetics and Biotechnology Flashcards
Building blocks of DNA and RNA
Nucleotide
The inherited genetic material inside each cell
DNA/Deoxyribonucleic acid
Relays instructions from the genes to guide each cell’s synthesis of proteins from amino acids
RNA/Ribonucleic acid
A segment of a DNA molecule that determines the traits and control protein synthesis
Gene
Total genetic information carried in a cell or an organism
Genome
The science of heredity
Genetics
The sequencing and molecular characterization of genomes
Genomics
DNA and chromosomes contain genes and noncoding regions called __________
Short tandem repeats (STRs)
Refers to the genetic makeup
Genotype
Refers to the manifestation of a genotype
Phenotype
Process of synthesis of a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template
Transcription
Process of protein synthesis; decoding the language of nucleic acids and converting it into the language of proteins
Translation
A sequence of three mRNA nucleotides that codes for a particular protein
Codon
Codons that code for amino acids
Sense codons
Codons that do not code for amino acids
Nonsense codons
Multiple codons encode for the same amino acid (Type of genetic code)
Degenerate
A single amino acid is indicated for each codon (Type of genetic code)
Unambiguous
Reading of the genetic code during translation does not involve overlap of codons (Type of genetic code)
Nonoverlapping
There is no punctuation between codons and reading is continuous until a stop codon (Type of genetic code)
Not punctuated
Used by all organisms with some exceptions (Type of genetic code)
Universal
A permanent change in the base sequence of DNA
Mutation
Type of mutation where a single nucleotide/base at point in the DNA sequence is replaced with a different nucleotide/base
Point mutation
Type of mutation where one or a few nucleotide pairs are deleted or inserted in the DNA
Frameshift mutation
Type of frameshift mutation that occurs when one or more nucleotides are lost from a DNA molecule
Deletion mutation
Type of frameshift mutation that occurs when one or more nucleotides are added to a DNA molecule
Insertion mutation
The exchange of genes between two DNA molecules to form new combinations of genes on a chromosome
Genetic recombination
2 cells involved in genetic recombination
Donor cell, Recipient cell
Self-replicating, gene-contaning, circular pieces of DNA about 1-5% the size of the bacterial chromosome
Plasmid
Factor that carries genes for sex pili
F factor
Factor involved in antibiotic resistance
Resistance (R) factor
Are jumping genes; small segments of DNA that can be “transposed” from one region of a DNA molecule to another
Transposons
3 types of genetic transfer in bacteria
Transformation, Conjugation, Transduction
Genes are transferred from one bacterium to another as “naked” DNA in solution (Type of genetic transfer in bacteria)
Transformation
Done through sex pili; requires cell to cell contact (Type of genetic transfer in bacteria)
Conjugation
Bacterial DNA is transferred from a donor cell to a recipient cell inside a bacteriophage (Type of genetic transfer in bacteria)
Transduction
A type of virus that infects bacteria
Bacteriophage/Phage
3 flows of genetic information
Expression, Recombination, Replication
Genetic information is used within the cell to produce the proteins needed for the cell to function (Flow of genetic information)
Expression
Genetic information can be transferred horizontally between cells of the same generation (Flow of genetic information)
Recombination
Genetic information can be transferred vertically to the next generation of cells (Flow of genetic information)
Replication
Process where one “parental” double-stranded DNA molecule is converted into two identical offspring molecules
DNA replication
2 ways to change genetic materials
Mutation, Recombination
3 stop codons
UAA, UAG, UGA
