RNA, DNA, & Cells

Question 1

RNA performs these essential functions:

Answer 1

-converts genetic code from DNA to proteins
-regulates the process of gene expression
-facilitates biological reactions
-senses/communicates responses to cellular signals
-exist as the genetic material found in some viruses

Question 2

During transcription, carries information transcribed from DNA to the cytoplasm of the cell

Answer 2

mRNA (messenger RNA)

Question 3

During translation, gathers the appropriate amino acids and delivers them to the ribosome.

Answer 3

tRNA (transfer RNA)

Question 4

During translation, carries out protein synthesis in the ribosome.

Answer 4

rRNA (ribosomal RNA)

Question 5

Involved in splicing and processing of mRNA in the nucleus.
Contributes to transcription by modifying newly made mRNA.

Answer 5

Small Nuclear RNA (snRNA)

Question 6

The joining or connecting of different segments of DNA or RNA.

Answer 6

Splicing

Question 7

RNA present in the cytoplasm.

Answer 7

Small Cytoplasmic RNA (scRNA)

Question 8

Small, highly-conserved segments of non-coding RNA that are involved in regulation of gene expression.

Answer 8

Micro RNA (miRNA)

Question 9

RNA used in laboratories.
Regulates gene expression through RNA interference.

Answer 9

Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)

Question 10

Silences genes by specifically targeting and degrading their RNA.

Answer 10

RNA Interference (RNAi)

Question 11

Special type of virus that uses RNA (not DNA) as its genetic material.

Answer 11

Retrovirus

Question 12

Changes in DNA.

Answer 12

Mutations

Question 13

At the beginning of an mRNA sequence instructs to ribosome to begin fabricating a chain of amino acids.

Answer 13

Start Codon

Question 14

Tell the ribosome to stop adding amino acids to the poly peptide chain.

Answer 14

Stop Codon

Question 15

Happen during meiosis due to damaging agents (such as radiation or exposure to teratogens during development phases).

Answer 15

Large-Scale Mutations

Question 16

Large-Scale Mutation
A segment of DNA is lost.

Answer 16

Deletion

Question 17

Large-Scale Mutation
A segment is duplicated and inserted back into the original DNA.

Answer 17

Duplication

Question 18

Types of large-scale mutations:

Answer 18

Deletion
Duplication
Inversion
Translocation

Question 19

Large-Scale Mutation
A segment of DNA is reversed.

Answer 19

Inversion

Question 20

Large-Scale Mutation
A segment of DNA is moved to another homologous chromosome.

Answer 20

Translocation

Question 21

Primary affect protein synthesis.
Important source of diversity among organisms because they’re the source of new genes.
Classified as single nucleotide pair substitutions and nucleotide pair insertions or deletions.
Can have little to no impact (base pair substitution) OR can completely disrupt the reading frame (deletion) causing serious consequences.

Answer 21

Small-Scale Mutations

Question 22

Occur at a single nucleotide.
A single nucleotide changed to another nucleotide.

Answer 22

Point Mutations

Question 23

Point Mutation
Even though a base pair has been changed, the codon still codes for the same amino acid.

Answer 23

Silent Mutation

Question 24

Point Mutation
The change in a single base changes the amino acid inserted.

Answer 24

Missense Mutation

Question 25

Point Mutation
A single base-pair substitution that ends translation early.
If a sequence inadvertently codes for a stop codon, then translation can end too soon, and the protein is generally nonfunctional.

Answer 25

Nonsense Mutation

Question 26

Point Mutation
A deletion or insertion of DNA shifts the reading frame of the mRNA message.
Disrupt the reading frame and can completely change the polypeptide that’s synthesized.

Answer 26

Frameshift Mutation

Question 27

Change the DNA sequence of the gene.

Answer 27

Mutation

Question 28

Hereditary mutations.
Inherited from a parent.
They’re in germ sells (parents’ sperm/egg cells).

Answer 28

Germaine Mutations

Question 29

Acquired mutations.
Occur at some point in an organism’s life (not inherited from parents).
Caused by environmental exposure to mutagens.
Found in somatic cells and can’t be passed on to future generations.

Answer 29

Somatic Mutation

Question 30

Any agent that cause genetic mutations (ex. UV-light, radioactive compounds, X-rays, some chemicals).

Answer 30

Mutagens

Question 31

Genetic changes that occur in more than 1% of the population.

Answer 31

Genetic Polymorphisms

Question 32

Steps in cell development:

Answer 32

1 - Cell Proliferation
2 - Cell Differentiation (& Specialization)
3 - Cell-Cell Interactions
4 - Cell Movement

Question 33

Groups of cells that together have specific functions.

Answer 33

Tissues

Question 34

The process of growth and division of cells that produce many cells from the original cell.
Divide through mitosis. —> Producing 2 identical cells (way cells pass on their genetic information across generations.
End goal = To create exact copes of a given cell and ensure that there are enough different cells for each type of tissue.

Answer 34

Cell Proliferation

Question 35

Must go through this process to develop features that enable them to fulfill specific roles.

Answer 35

Cell Differentiation

Question 36

Specialized cells have different genes turned on and expressed ad different times in the cell.
How different genes are turned on/off determines the ultimate fate of the cell.

Answer 36

Cell Specialization

Question 37

Unspecialized cells that can divide limitlessly and differentiate into specialized cells.

Answer 37

Stem Cells

Question 38

Can specialize in any of the cells the organism needs to grow and develop PLUS the extra embryonic cells necessary for the embryo to grow.
Zygote.

Answer 38

Totipotent

Question 39

Can give rise to all of the body’s cell types, but NOT the extra embryonic cell types.
Embryonic stem cells.

Answer 39

Pluripotent

Question 40

Can give rise to several different cell types, but their specialization is limited to the tissue in which they’re located so they can replace dead or damaged tissue.
Adult stem cells.

Answer 40

Multipotent

Question 41

Adult cells that have been reprogrammed to become like embryonic stem cells.
Pluripotent so give rise to all the cells in the body.
Derived from adult stem cells so may still have DNA abnormalities that come from a lifetime of cell division.

Answer 41

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

Question 42

Types of cell-cell interaction (signaling):

Answer 42

Direct Contact
Paracrine (and Synaptic)
Autocrine
Endocrine

Question 43

Cell-cell interaction (signaling)
Cells are located next to each other and small channels between the cells allow small molecules to diffuse from one cell to another.

Answer 43

Direct Contact Interaction

Question 44

Cell-cell interaction (signaling)
Involves the production of a chemical signal by a cell… The chemical then diffuses over a short distance to reach nearby cells.

Answer 44

Paracrine Signaling

Question 45

Cell-cell interaction (signaling)
Paracrine signaling in the nervous system.
Occurs between cells separated by a synapse (gap) over which neurotransmitters can diffuse to send messages from one cell to another.

Answer 45

Synaptic Signaling

Question 46

Cell-cell interaction (signaling)
Involves a cell signaling itself. —> Cell releases molecules that bind to receptors on its surface.

Answer 46

Autocrine Signaling

Question 47

Cell-cell interaction (signaling)
Signaling conducted by hormones, which can travel throughout the body via the circulatory system.
ex. Insulin made by the pancreas regulates blood sugar levels throughout the body.

Answer 47

Endocrine Signaling