T4: Genetic Information & Variation Flashcards
What are the components of nucleotides?
- pentose sugar
- phosphate group
- an organic nitrogenous base
Describe how a phosphodiester bond is formed between two nucleotides within a DNA
molecule. (2)
- Condensation (reaction)/loss of water;
- (Between) phosphate and deoxyribose;
- (Catalysed by) DNA polymerase;
In the process of semi-conservative DNA replication, the two strands within a DNA molecule are separated. Each then acts as a template for the formation of a new complementary strand.
Describe how the separation of strands occurs. (2)
- DNA helicase;
- Breaks hydrogen bonds between base pairs/ AT and GC/complementary bases
OR
Breaks hydrogen bonds between polynucleotide strands;
Reject hydrolysis of hydrogen bonds
The nucleus and a chloroplast of a plant cell both contain DNA. Give three ways in which the DNA in a chloroplast is different from DNA in the nucleus. (3)
In chloroplasts:
1. DNA shorter;
Accept smaller
2. Fewer genes;
3. DNA circular not linear;
4. Not associated with protein/histones, unlike nuclear DNA;
5. Introns absent but present in nuclear DNA;
Must be comparative statements.
DNA is a polymer of nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains an organic base.
Explain how the organic bases help to stabilise the structure of DNA. (2)
- Hydrogen bonds between the base pairs holds two strands together
- Many hydrogen bonds provides strength
Describe FOUR differences between the structure of a tRNA molecule and the structure of an
mRNA molecule. (4)
- tRNA is ‘clover leaf shape’, mRNA is linear;
- tRNA has hydrogen bonds, mRNA does not;
- tRNA has an amino acid binding site, mRNA does not;
Accept ‘CCA end’ for amino acid binding site - tRNA has anticodon, mRNA has codon;
Must be a comparison
what is a codon?
- triplets of bases that code for a particular amino acid
What is the genetic code?
- the order of bases on DNA
- consitsts of codons ( triplets of bases that code for a particular amino acid)
Why is the genetic code described as being universal? (1)
- (In all organisms / DNA,) the same triplet codes for the same amino acid;
Define a gene
- a base sequence of DNA that codes for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide or a functional RNA molecule
give the functions of the three types of RNA.
mRNA - the bases are used by ribosomes to form polypeptide chains
tRNA - carries amino acids to the ribosome
rRNA - ribosomal RNA molecules form part of the structure of ribosomes
Identify and define features of the genetic code.
- non-overlapping : each triplet is only read once
- degenerate: more than one triplet codes for the same amino acid.
- Universal = the same triplet codes for the same amino acid in all species
What is a locus?
- fixed position on a DNA molecule occupied by a gene
What is an allele?
- different versions of the same gene found at the same locus on a chromosome.
Define exons and introns
exons: Base/ triplet sequence coding for polypeptide/sequence of amino acids
Introns: regions of DNA that do not code for anything. ( non-coding DNA)
exons: regions of DNA that code for amino acid sequences
Where are introns found?
- between exons
- within genes
Describe how a gene is a code for the production of a polypeptide. Do not
include information about transcription or translation in your answer
- (Because) base/nucleotide sequence;
- (In) triplet(s);
- (Determines) order/sequence of amino acid /primary structure (in polypeptide);
Compare and contrast the DNA in eukaryotic cells with the DNA in prokaryotic cells (5)
give similarities also!!
- Nucleotide structure is identical;
- Nucleotides joined by phosphodiester bond;
- DNA in mitochondria / chloroplasts same / similar (structure) to DNA in prokaryotes;
Contrasts: - Eukaryotic DNA is longer;
- Eukaryotic DNA contain introns, prokaryotic DNA does not;
- Eukaryotic DNA is linear, prokaryotic DNA is circular;
- Eukaryotic DNA is associated with / bound to protein / histones, prokaryotic DNA is not;
Not all mutations in the nucleotide sequence of a gene cause a change in the structure of a polypeptide. (2) Give two reasons why.
- Triplets code for same amino acid
Accept: DNA/code/triplets are degenerate
Reject: codons (as question states within genes) - Occurs in introns /non-coding sequence;
Define the terms:
genome
proteome
genome: the complete set of genetic information contained in the cells of an organism
proteome: full) range of / number of different proteins that a cell is able to produce/ DNA is able
to code for (at a given time)
Describe the structure of mRNA.
- long , linear , single strand.
- It is made up of a sugar-phosphate backbone and exposed unpaired bases
- Uracil bases are present instead of thymine bases
Suggest the advantages of using mRNA rather than DNA for translation
- shorter & contains uracil so no excess polypeptide forms
- single-stranded & linear = ribosome moves along strand & tRNA binds to exposed bases
- contains no introns
Describe the structure of tRNA
- tRNA is a single-stranded molecule
- It has a sugar-phosphate backbone
- It has a folded , CLOVER LEAF shape
- has anticodon complemenrary to codon on MRNA
- has amino acid binding site
In a eukaryotic cell, the structure of the mRNA used in translation is different from the structure of the pre-mRNA produced by transcription.
Describe and explain a difference in the structure of these mRNA molecules.
- mRNA has fewer nucleotides
Pre-mRNA more nucleotides
OR
mRNA has no introns/has (only) exons
OR
Pre-mRNA has (exons and) introns; - (Because of) splicing
Accept mRNA is shorter OR pre-mRNA is longer
Describe how mRNA is formed by transcription in eukaryotes (5)
- Hydrogen bonds (between DNA bases) break;
- (Only) one DNA strand acts as a template;
- Free RNA nucleotides align by complementary base pairing;
- (In RNA) Uracil base pairs with adenine (on DNA)
- RNA polymerase joins (adjacent RNA) nucleotides;
- (By) phosphodiester bonds (between adjacent nucleotides);
- Pre-mRNA is spliced (to form mRNA by removing introns using enzyme splicesome
Describe how a polypeptide is formed by translation of mRNA (6)
- mRNA attaches) to ribosomes or RER
- (tRNA) anticodons (bind to) complementary (mRNA) codons;
- tRNA brings a specific amino acid;
- Amino acids join by peptide bonds;
- (Amino acids join together) with the use of ATP; and peptidyl transferase enzyme
- tRNA released (after amino acid joined to polypeptide);
- The ribosome moves along the mRNA to form the polypeptide
peptidyl transferae
Starting with mRNA in the cytoplasm, describe how translation leads to the production of a polypeptide.
Do not include descriptions of transcription and splicing in your answer
- mRNA associates with a ribosome / ribosome attaches to mRNA;
- Ribosome moves to / finds the start codon / AUG;
- tRNA brings / carries (appropriate / specific) amino acid;
- Anticodon (on tRNA complementary) to codon (on mRNA);
- Ribosome moves along to next codon;
- (Process repeated and) amino acids join by peptide bonds / condensation reaction (to form polypeptide);
using) ATP
Describe how mRNA is produced from an exposed template strand of DNA. Do not include DNA helicase or splicing in your answer
- (Free RNA) nucleotides form complementary base pairs
- Phosphodiester bonds form;
- By (action of) RNA polymerase;
Give the two types of molecules from which a ribosome is made (1)
- one of of RNA / ribonucleic acid / nucleotide/nucleic acid/rRNA / ribosomal RNA / ribosomal ribonucleic acid
and - one of protein(s) / polypeptide(s) / amino acid(s) / peptide(s) / ribosomal protein
rRNA + protein
Define mutation (1)
- ( random ) Change in the base/nucleotide (sequence of chromosomes/DNA);
- results in the formation of new allele
Explain how a gene mutation can have:
* no effect on an individual
* a positive effect on an individual. (4)
no effect : ( any 2 of )
- Genetic code is degenerate (so amino acid sequence may not change);
- Mutation is in an intron (so amino acid sequence may not change);
- Does change amino acid but no effect on tertiary structure;
- (New allele) is recessive so does not influence phenotype;
positive effect :
- May result in increased reproductive success OR survival
- Results in change in polypeptide that positively changes its properties
degenerate : amino acids have more than one triplet/codon.
what is a substitution mutation?
- nucleotide in DNA sequence is replaced by another
- likely no change in the amino acid sequence
what is a deletion mutation?
- nucleotide is lost in the DNA sequence
- leads to a frame shift causing entire amino acid sequence to differ
Define mutagenic agent (2)
- A factor that) increases (the rate of) mutations;
- e.g. X rays , UV light , Gamma rays etc
What is a polyploidy chromosome mutation?
- where an individual has three of more sets of chromosmes instead of two
Describe chromosome non-disjunction
- occurs when chromosomes fail to separate during meiosis
- gametes may end up with one extra copy of a particular chromosome or no copies
e.g. DOWN’S SYNDROME
Genetic variation within a species is increased during meiosis by crossing over and the independent segregation of homologous chromosomes. Apart from mutation, explain one other way genetic variation within a species is increased. (2)
- Random fusion of gametes
OR
- random fertilisation - (Produces) new allele combinations
If most of the mitochondria in a cell are faulty, this prevents many important enzyme catalysed reactions taking place or slows them down.
Suggest and explain one reason why (2)
- not enough/ little ATP produced
- ATP provides energy for enzyme reactions
What is meiosis?
- a form of cell division that produces four genetically different haploid cells known as gametes ( sex cells)
Give 4 differences between mitosis and meiosis. (4)
- One division, two divisions in meiosis;
- (Daughter) cells genetically identical, daughter cells genetically different in
meiosis; - Two cells produced, (usually) four cells produced in meiosis;
- Diploid to diploid/haploid to haploid, diploid to haploid in meiosis;
- Separation of homologous chromosomes only in meiosis;
- Crossing over only in meiosis;
- Independent segregation only in meiosis;
Mitosis given first - then meiosis
Give difference between haploid and diploid (2)
- Haploid =single set of chromosomes, denoted as “n”. In humans, the haploid number of chromosomes is 23. GAMETES
- Diploid = having two sets of chromosomes, denoted as “2n”. In humans, the diploid number of chromosomes is 46. SOMATIC CELLS
Give the stages in Meiosis I
- Prophase I
- Metaphase I
- Anaphase I
- Telophase I
- same as mitosis except with crossing over