RNA Flashcards
What is RNA? How does it differ from DNA
ribonucleic acid
single stranded
contains ribose instead of deoxyribose
contains the base uracil instead of thymine
What is the function of RNA?
plays an essential role in the transfer of genetic information from DNA to the proteins that make up the enzymes and tissues of the body
DNA stores all of the genetic information needed by an organism. Why can’t DNA be transferred?
DNA of each eukaryotic chromosomes is a very long molecule, and is unable to leave the nucleus in order to supply information directly to the sites of protein synthesis/
What happens to the RNA molecule after protein synthesis?
the phosphodiester bonds are hydrolysed and the RNA nucleotides are released and reused.
WHat is transcription?
making RNA
How is pre-RNA made?
DNA helicase unzips the DNA strand by breaking the H-bonds
RNA polymerase catalyses the production of an RNA strand, it moves along the strand (known as a template strand) to form a chain of pre-RNA
What happens to the DNA after RNA is formed?
DNA behind the RNA polymerase joins to reform the double helix
How is the pre-RNA detached?
when RNA polymerase reaches a ‘stop’ codon, the chain is terminated and the pre-mRNA detaches
What is the difference between pre-mRNA and mature mRNA?
mature has introns removed (non-coding regions)
also has a cap and tail added so it is the right orientation to join the ribosome