the genetic code Flashcards
what is a gene?
a base sequence of DNA that codes for, the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide. a functional RNA (including ribosomal RNA and tRNAS)
how are genes arranged?
they are separated by non-coding regions between genes. these non coding regions contains VNTRs (variable number tandem repeats)
what are alleles?
a version of a gene eg mouse have a gene for fur but some alleles code for black hair some white etc
what is a locus?
the position a gene occupies on a chromosome
how many chromosomes do humans have?
humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. these are arranged into homologous
what is a homologous pair?
means they have the same loci but alleles may differ
if they are attracted by centromere
sister chromatids (replicas of same chromosome)
same gene at same loci
homozygous pair
different gene at same loci
heterozygous
the features of the genetic code
universal, non-overlapping, degenerate
universal
the triplet code codes for the same amino acids in all organisms
triplet code
a sequence of three bases which codes for specific amino acid
degenerate
same amino acids have more than one triplet code which codes for them
non-overlapping
each base belongs to just one triplet code
genome
the complete set of genes in a cell/organism
proteome
the range of proteins that a cell/organism can produce
how does DNA exist in eukaryotes?
wrapped around histone proteins, contains introns, long, linear, contains non coding sequence between genes
what are histones?
proteins that DNA wrap around
what are introns?
base sequence within a gene that do not code for amino acids. introns are removed during splicing and the axons are joined
how does DNA exist in prokaryotes?
short , circular (not linear/ no free strands) not associated with proteins, no introns few non-coding regions between genes also have plasmids (small circles of DNA)
what is the DNA in chloroplasts and mitochondria like?
circular and not associated with proteins
coding strand
contains the code for a polypeptide or functional RNA
template strand
complimentary to the coding strand and is used to make mRNA from
triplet
a sequence of three DNA bases on the coding strand that codes for a specific amino acid
codon
a sequence of three bases on mRNA that codes for specific amino acid
what are the two stages of protein synthesis?
transcription ans translation
transcription
1)DNA helices attach to a specific DNA sequence at the start of the gene (promoter region) and unwinds the double helix
2)DNA helices breaks hydrogen bonds between complimentary base pairs
3)RNA polymerase attacks to start sequence
4)free floating RNA nucleotides attach to the template strand of DNA according to the rules of complimentary base pairings
5) RNA polymerase joins adjacent nucleotides together creating phosphodiester bonds
6)the RNA polymerase moves down the DNA molecule until it reaches a stop sequence
7) as RNA polymerase moves down the DNA strand, hydrogen bonds reform between complimentary base and strands coil together
8)the pre-mrna strand is spliced to remove introns. axons are joined together forming mature mRNA
9)mature mRNA leaves via a nuclear pore
splicing
before the mRNA leaves the process of splicing occurs to remove introns and join up the externs. the mRNA leaves via a nuclear pore
translocation
1)mRNA attachs to a ribosome
2)ribosome reads the first codon (start codon)
3)tRNA with complimentary anticodon attach to the codon. This requires ATP
4)tRNA carries a specific amino acid for that codon
5)a second tRNA and amino acid arrives at the ribosome and binds to the next codon
6)process continues and amino acids from peptide bonds via condensation reactions until stop codon is reached
7)the polypeptide is now made. the ribosomes mRNA complex disassembles
mRNA
long stranded, singles stranded, coils into helix and RNA organic bases
tRNA
short, single stranded, H bonds between own nucleotides forms clover leaf shape, anticodon at one end which complimentary base pairs to codons. One end of the chain extends beyond the other forming an amino acid binding site
where does transcription occur
the nucleus
where does translocation occur
ribosomes/cytoplasm
what might mutations result in
a different amino acid sequence in the encoded polypeptide. a different amino acid means hydrogen bonds form in different places and alter the secondary structure, hydrogen, ionic, disulfie bonds form in different places ad affect the tier chary structure
what is the definition of a mutation
a change to the DNA
what are the different types of mutations that can occur
gene mutation (a change to the base sequence of DNA) and chromosome mutation (changes to the numbers of whole chromosome)
what causes gene mutations?
gene mutations arise spontaneously during DNA replication chromosome mutations occur due to non-dysfunction during meiosis
how doe mutation effect t enzymes?
they change the tier chary structure, the active site. therefore the active site is no longer complimentary to substrate
what does degernate mean and how does this affect the protein produced?
degenerate means more than triplet codes for the same amino acid. if a mutation occurs changing one triplet to another-it may still code for the same amino acid so the mutation has no effect
silent mutation
some gene mutations change only one triplet code. due to degenerate nature of the genetic code, this still may code for the same amino acid
what is a frame shift?
some gene mutations change every codon downstream fro the mutation
what causes mutations?
random errors when DNA replicate. Chemical mutagens. Mutagenic agents eg x rays
how do mutagenic agents cause mutations
change the structure of the DNA double Helix, bases may be altered and chemicals may act as bases
what happens in non-dysfunction?
means the chromosomes fail to segregate during meiosis. this produces a gamete with two copies of a chromosome and a gamete with no copies of a particular chromosome
east id the biological sex of this individual?
female-XX
male-XY