RNA, DNA, and Cells Flashcards
What are the 5 functions of RNA?
- Converts genetic code from DNA to proteins
- Regulates the process of gene expression
- Facilitates biological reactions
- Senses and communicates responses to cellular signals
- Exists as the genetic material found in some viruses
What are the 3 main types of RNA?
- mRNA
- tRNA
- rRNA
RNA that carries information transcribed from DNA to the cytoplasm of the cell
mRNA
RNA that gathers the appropriate amino acids and delivers them to the ribosome
tRNA
RNA that carries out protein synthesis in the ribosome
rRNA
Where do transcription and translation occur in prokaryotic cells vs eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic Cells - transcription and translation occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm
Eukaryotic Cells - transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the cytoplasm
Why does transcription and translation occur simultaneously in Prokaryotes?
The cell’s DNA and ribosomes are already in the cytoplasm
What makes up 1 complete ribosome?
1 large subunit + 1 small subunit
RNA that is involved in the splicing, processing, and modifying of the newly made mRNA in the nucleus
Small Nuclear RNA (snRNA)
the joining or connecting of different segments of DNA or RNA
Splicing
RNA that directs proteins to the plasma membrane as they emerge from the ribosome
Small Cytoplasmic RNA (scRNA)
small, highly-conserved segments of non-coding RNA that are involved in the regulation of gene expression
Micro RNA (miRNA)
RNA that regulates gene expression by silencing genes by specifically targeting and degrading their mRNA
Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)
a special type of virus that uses RNA, not DNA, as its genetic material and is able to integrate its DNA into the host cell so it can continue to replicate
Retrovirus
Where is siRNA often used?
Used in many labs to help scientists learn how genes operate
How does a retrovirus infect a cell? Describe in 4 steps
- Retrovirus infects a cell
- Uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA
- This integrates its DNA into the DNA of the host cell
- Virus can now continue to replicate
Give an example of a retrovirus?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
changes in DNA that can occur at the DNA level, in the DNA’s translation to mRNA, and protein synthesis
Mutations
What are the 2 types of mutation categories?
- Large-Scale Mutations
- Small-Scale Mutations
Mutations that occur during meiosis due to damaging agents during developmental phases
Large-Scale Mutations
These types of mutations frequently result in lethal conditions
Large-Scale Mutations
What are the 4 main Large-Scale Mutations?
- Deletion
- Duplication
- Inversion
- Translocation
a mutation in which a segment of DNA is lost
Deletion
a mutation in which a segment is duplicated and inserted back into the original DNA
Duplication
a mutation in which a segment of DNA is reversed
Inversion
a mutation in which a segment of DNA is moved to another homologous chromosome
Translocation
A type of mutation that primarily affects protein synthesis
Small-Scale Mutations
Is the source of new genes and is important for diversity among organisms
Small-Scale Mutations
What are the 3 main types of Small-Scale Mutations?
- Point Mutations
- Nonsense Mutations
- Frameshift Mutations
What are the 2 subcategories of Point Mutations?
- Silent Mutations
- Missense Mutations