Topic 2 Flashcards
Describe the structure of a nucleotide
Made of a phosphate, Pentose andnitrogenous base
Joined by a condensation reaction
Phosphodiester bonds form
Bases A,T pair and G,C pair
Held together by H bonds
Creates double helix
Why is DNA replication described as semi conservative/ why was the semi conservative model accepted (Melson and Stahl)?
Semi conservative accepted / conservative rejected
Generation 1 has single band halfway between 14N and 15N
Because the DNA has one strand containing 14N and one containing 15N
In semi conservative further generations would have no band at 15N
What happens in DNA replication
Semi conservative
BOTH strands replicate
DNA nucleotides line up against both strands
DNA polymerase joins them creating phosphodiester bonds
Then winds back up into double helix
What happens in transcription
DNA unzips because of helicase
RNA nucleotides line up against template strand due to complementary base pairing
RNA nucleotides joined by RNA polymerase
New phosphodiester bonds form between nucleotides
MRNA strand is formed and leaves nucleus
What happens in translation
MRNA attaches to ribosome
Triplet bases called codons are exposed within the ribosome
Amino acids attach to a binding site on specific tRNA molecules
Trna transports specific amino acids to ribosome
Anticodon in trna pairs with complementary codon on mRNA
Peptide bonds form by condensation reaction
Trna released from mRNA into cytoplasm
How is mRNA edited between transcription and translation
Non coding introns are removed and the remaining exons can be sliced together
Different proteins can then be made from one length of mRNA
Compare transactions and DNA replication
Both involve the unwinding of DNA by breaking H bonds
Transcription uses RNA nucleotides whereas DNA replication uses DNA nucleotides
Transcription nucleotides line up against anti sense strand whereas in replication nucleotides line up against both strands
How do mutations lead to nonfunctional proteins
Mutation could cause change in the primary structure
As there would be different R groups and different Positions/types of bonds e.g ionic, disulphide, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen
Tertiary structure changes as protein fold
Compare DNA and RNA
Both are made up of nucleotides joined by phosphodiester bonds
DNA is double stranded whereas RNA is single stranded
DNA contains deoxyribose sugar whereas RNA contains ribose sugar
DNA contains the bases adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine whereas RNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil
Describe the function of enzymes
biological catalysts that lower activation of enemy
Increase rate of reaction
Specific to each reaction
Specific shape determined by amino acid sequence and R groups
This determines primary structure which therefore determines tertiary and therefore the function
How can mutations CF?
It is caused by a mutation to the CFTR protein
The primary mutation Occurs on an ATP binding site
ATP therefore can not bind to the CFTR channel
Phosphate is not relaxed and no phosphorylation of the protein can occur
This allows the channel to open
Therefore no transport of chloride can occur across the channel
What is a gene
Sequence if bases in the DNA that determine the sequence if amino acids in polypeptide chain
What is an allele
An alternate form of gene that is at the same locus on the chromosome
How does the expression of a gene mutation in people with CF impair the digestive system?
Thick and sticky mucus blocks the ducts in the pancreas that secrete digestive enzymes
Less enzymes are therefore available for digestion in the intestine
Therefore food doesn’t get disgusted properly leading to less absorption of nutrients
How does the expression of a gene mutation in people with CF impair the function of the gaseous exchange?
Thick and sticky musics increase the length of the diffusion pathway for gas exchange
According to flicks law the rate of gas exchange is inversely proportional to the light of the diffusion pathway
As the length increase the rate if gas exchange decrease
The mucus also blocks up the alveoli which decreases surface area for gas exchange
As flicks law states the rate of gas exchange is proportional to the surface area
Therefore a decrease in surface area leads to a decrease rate in gas exchange
How does the expression of a gene mutation in people with CF impair the function of the reproductive system?
CF affects the reproductive system by causing the sperm ducts to be blocked or not present in males
In female it results in thicker vaginal mucus making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg cell
What are the ethical issues with genetic screening?
Can pose emotional stress to parents
Can be seen as unethical to screen an embryo
Genetic abnormalities found can be stressful to parents
False positive may lead to termination of healthy baby
Designing a baby of Chaucer is considered unethical in some religions/cultures
What are some mammalian adaptations that increase the rate of diffusion?
The lungs contain many alveoli which increase the surface area for gas exchange which increase rate of diffusion
The walls of the alveoli are one cell thick which decreases the length of the diffusion pathway and increase rate of diffusion
The lungs have a large capillary network which maintain a concentration gradient