The Role of DNA Flashcards
1
Q
What does DNA do in terms of information?
A
- carries hereditary information in each cell in the form of genes
2
Q
What does DNA do in terms of protein synthesis?
A
- provides a blueprint for an organism’s growth and development
- by coding for protein synthesis
3
Q
What does DNA do in terms of replication?
A
- can replicate
- so that a copy of the genetic information is passed on to each daughter cell formed during cell division
- this ensures that the genetic code is passed through generations
4
Q
How much human DNA codes for proteins?
A
- less than 2%
- the rest consists of non-coding DNA
5
Q
What are the protein-coding regions of a DNA molecule called?
A
- exons
6
Q
What are the non-coding regions of a DNA molecule called?
A
- introns
7
Q
How do simple and complex organisms differ in terms of non-coding DNA?
A
- complex organisms contain much more non-coding DNA than less complex organisms
8
Q
What is the purpose of the non-coding regions of DNA?
A
- they form functional RNA molecules
- which have regulatory functions
