RNA Flashcards
1
Q
what is it involved in?
A
- protein synthesis
2
Q
structure
A
- polymer made up of nucleotides
- single strand
- shorter than DNA
- sugar (ribose)
- ACGU
3
Q
function
A
- carries instructions from DNA
- to ribosomes in cytoplasm
- controls synthesis of proteins from amino acids
4
Q
similarities
A
- polymer
- sugar (ribose)
- phosphate
- nitrogenous base pairs
- both responsible for the synthesis of proteins
5
Q
mitochondrial DNA
A
- present in mitochondria
- mtDNA
- double stranded, ring-shaped
- inherited from mother (present in egg cell)
- shorter than chromosomal DNA, essential for functioning mitochondria
- code for the enzymes that control cellular respiration
6
Q
importance of mitochondrial DNA
A
- eukaryotes
- symbiotic relationship
- separate organisms
7
Q
tracing genetic links
A
- chromosomes enter with sperm cells
- mitochondria only from egg cells
- establishes a distinct maternal genetic line
- sometimes a substitution takes place (known as a marker)
- mtDNA similar, organisms closely related
- differences diverged along evolutionary pathways
- mapped throughout generations
8
Q
mtDNA testing
A
- scrape tissue from the cheek
- mtDNA is compared to other individuals
- called Cambridge Reference Sequence (CRS)
9
Q
how can the profiles be used
A
- reconstruct family maternal-linked relationships
- investigate forensic cases where chromosomal DNA is degraded
- determine if siblings have the same mother
