TEST 1: Genetics Flashcards
Components of DNA
Phosphate
Sugar (deoxyribose)
Base
Structure/function of
Phosphate in DNA
-ONE part of the backbone, alternates with deoxyribose
-links individual nucleotides together
-Connects 3’ carbon of one dexoyribose sugar to the 5’ carbon of the next dexoyribose sugar in the strand
-Phosphate group is negatively charged giving DNA an over all negative charge
Structure/function of Deoxyribose in DNA
-ONE part of the backbone, alternates with phosphate
-Pentose sugar
-Provides structure and attachment site for nitrogenous bases.
DNA Bases and which is their attachment counter part
Adenine A-T
Thymine
Cytosine C-G
Guanine
Structure of DNA vs RNA
DNA: double helix, deoxyribose sugar and phosphate backbone, A-T-C-G bases with hydrogen bonds.
RNA: Single stranded, ribose sugar and phosphate backbone, A-U-C-G bases
Function of DNA vs RNA
DNA: storage of genetic information and template for RNA.
RNA: transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis (mRNA), carries amino acids during protein synthesis (tRNA), and catalyzes peptide bond formation (rRNA)
Stability of DNA vs RNA
DNA: Stable double helix
RNA: Prone to degradation as its single stranded. Presence of ribonucleases that can break down RNA.
Location of DNA vs RNA
DNA: Cell nucleus and mitochondria. Remain in nucleus
RNA: Nucleus, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.
Role in protein synthesis DNA vs RNA
DNA: template for RNA synthesis (transcription). NOT directly involved in protein synthesis.
RNA: crucial role in protein synthesis. Carries genetic info from DNA to ribosomes and coordinates the translation of genetic code into proteins.
Replication DNA vs RNA (Broad)
DNA: duplication of entire double stranded molecule wit high fidelity and accuracy resulting in two identical DNA molecules.
RNA: replication called transcription. Synthesizes a single stranded RNA molecule that is complementary to a specific DNA template, allowing for expression of genetic info and protein synthesis.
DNA Polymerase
Main enzyme responsible for catalyzing the addition of nucleotides to the growing DNA strand.
Helicase
Enzyme that unwinds and separates the DNA from the helix to expose the template strands for replication
Primase
Synthesizes RNA primers that serve as starting points for DNA synthesis.
Ligase
Seals the nicks in sugar/phosphate backbone to create a continuous DNA strand
What cellular phase is DNA replicated
S phase
What are the 5 steps in DNA replication
- Helicase unwinds the helix creating a replication fork
- Primase synthesizes RNA primers on the template strands
- DNA polymerase adds complimentary nucleotides to the exposed template strands in the 5’ to 3’ direction
- Leading and lagging strands are synthesized simultaneously, but discontinuous synthesis occurs on the lagging strand, forming Okazaki fragments
- DNA ligase joins the Okazaki fragments to create a continuous strand
Meaning of semi-conservative replication
where DNA replication where each daughter DNA molecule have both a parental strand and a newly synthesized strand.
RNA plymerase
Enzyme that Catalyzes synthesis of RNA using one strand of DNA as a template.
Promoter
DNA sequence where RNA polymerase bins to initiate transcription
Terminator
Sequence signaling the end of the gene and the completion of transcription.
What are the 4 steps of RNA replication
- transcription in the nucleus where RNA is synthesized from DNA template
- RNA polymerase binds to the promoter sequence on DNA template
- Initiates RNA synthesis via complementary base pairing in the 5’ to 3’ direction using (A-U-G-C)
- Transcription stops at the terminator sequence and newly synthesized RNA molecule is released.
3 Replication differences in DNA vs RNA
- RNA is a single strand to a single strand
- RNA polymerase does not require a primer to initiate synthesis (DNA polymerase does)
- RNA synthesis is less accurate as it is less controlled.
What is a codon
sequence of 3 nucleotides that encode a specific amino acid or signal the start or stop of protein synthesis