topic 3 - voice of the genome Flashcards
nucleus
- description
- function
- large, surrounded by double membrane called the nuclear envelope
- contains pores for molecules to enter and leave
- contains DNA wrapped in histone proteins in a complex called chromatin
- nucleolus - site of ribosome synthesis
- controls cells activities by controlling transcription of DNA
- nucleolus makes ribosomes
lysosomes
- description
- function
- round organelle surrounded by single membrane
- no clear internal structure
- contains digestive enzymes used to digest invading cells or to break down old components of cell
ribosome
- description
-function
- floats free in cytoplasm or is attached to RER. made of proteins and RNA.
- site of protein synthesis
RER
- description
- function
- series of flattened sacs enclosed by a membrane with ribosomes on surface
- folds and processes proteins that were made at ribosomes
SER
- description
- function
system of membrane bound sacs
synthesises and processes lipids
golgi apparatus
- description
-function
- fluid filled, flattened sacs with vesicles surrounding edges
- packages and processes new lipids and proteins
- makes lysosomes
mitochondria
- description
-function
- surrounded by double membrane called envelope
- inner membrane folded to form cristae
- fluid matrix inside containing enzymes for respiration
- site of aerobic respuration
- where ATP is produced
centriole
- description
- function
hollow cylinders with ring of microtubules arranged at right angles
involved in separation of chromosomes in cell division
cell wall (PLANTS ONLY)
- description
- function
- surround cell. made up of cellulose
- strengthens and supports cell, contains pores for transport
chloroplast (PLANTS ONLY)
- description
- function
- small flattened structure, contains double membrane.
- inner membrane is stacked into thylakoid
- contains chlorophyll
- site of photosynthesis
amyloplast (PLANTS ONLY)
- description
-function
- small, enclosed by membrane
- synthesis and stores starch molecules and breaks them into gluocse
vacuole (PLANTS ONLY)
- description
- function
surrounded by membrane called a tonoplast (controls what enters and leaves)
- contains cell sap
- keeps cell turgid - stops plants wilting and also breaks down unwanted chemicals
plasmodesmata
- description
-function
channels of cytoplasm between adjacent cell walls
- allow communication and exchange of substances
pits
- description
-function
- sections of cell wall where plants can communicate and exchange substances
- the cell wall only has one layer
middle lamella
- description
- function
- made of pectin
- sticks plant cell walls together
describe stages of protein trafficking
- proteins are made on ribosomes
- proteins produced on ribosomes on surface of RER and folded and processes in RER
- proteins then transported from RER to golgi apparatus in vesicles
- they are modified in golgi apparatus
- gogli packages proteins into vesicles to be transported around cell or leave by exocytosis
plasma membrane
- structure
- function
- mainly made of lipids and proteins
- controls movement of substances into and out of cell
cell wall (prokaryotes)
- structure
- function
- made of peptidoglycan
- supports the cell/ prevents it from changing shape
pili (prokaryotes)
- function
- helps prokaryotes stick to other cells and can be used in transfer of genetic material between cells
slime capsule (prokaryotes)
- function
helps to retain moisture, adhere to surfaces and protect bacteria from attack by cells of the immune system
mesosomes (prokaryotic)
- structure
- function
- inward folds of the plasma membrane
- may play a role in cellular processes or may just be artefacts
plasmids (prokaryotes)
- function
- small loops of DNA that contain genes for processes like antibiotic resistance. not always present
DNA (prokaryotes)
- where is it?
floats free in cytoplasm, not attached to any histone proteins
flagellum
- function
- tail like structure that rotates to help cell move
stem cells definition
stem cells are undifferentiated cells which can CONTINUE dividing to give rise to other cell types
what are the three types of stem cells and explain them.
- multipotent cells: can give rise to many different types of cells
- pluripotent cells: can give rise to many types of specialised cells because genes in pluripotent cells are inactivated and thus cant differentiate into all types
- totipotent cells: can give rise to all specialised cells, including placental cells
what can stem cells treat?
arguments for and against stem cells?
- can treat variety of diseases eg diabetes, MS, parkinsons. can also replace damaged tissue in spinal cord injuries.
- for: could save many lives and improve people’s quality of life
- against: embryos are killed in the process of embryonic stem cell extraction. theres also a risk of infection. cells could become cancerous
how does differential gene expression allow cells to become specialised?
- a stimulus acts on unspecialised cells
- activator and repressor molecules can bind to promoter regions on DNA sequence. some genes are switched on and become active whereas others are switched off (eg by changing the structure of chromatin)
- active genes are transcribed to produce RNA
- mRNA is then translated on ribosomes and produces protein
- the protein has ability to change structure and function of cells
explain the Lac Operon (an eg of epigenetic changes)
- E Coli is a bacteria that respires glucose, but uses lactose when glucose not available
- the genes that produce the enzyme needed to respire lactose are found on the LAC OPERON
- when lactose NOT present : regulatory gene produces the lac repressor (a transcription factor that binds to operator site). this blocks transcription as RNA polymerase cannot bind to the promoter
- when lactose PRESENT: lactose binds to the repressor, changing the repressors shape so it cant bind to the operator site. RNA polymerase can now begin transcription
phenotype definition:
the characteristics of an organism, which result from interaction of the genes of an organism with the environment it lives in
explain the two types of phenotype variation
- continuous: variation within a range eg mass
- discontinuous: can only take particular values eg shoe size
epigenetic modifications definition and two examples
- epigenetic modifications are modifications to DNA which do not change the base sequence, but modify the activation of certain genes
- two egs: DNA methylation and histone modification
explain DNA methylation
the process by which methyl groups are added to DNA.
- causes the histone complex to condense
- methylation modifies the function of the DNA, suppressing gene transcription.
- the change is permanent
explain histone modification
The addition or removal of acetyl groups
1. When histones are acetylated, chromatin is less condensed allowing proteins to bind to DNA so genes can be transcribed
2. When acetyl groups removed, chromatin is highly condensed so genes cannot be transcribed
why is bone marrow used for stem cells
- bone marrow contains unspecialised cells
- these are needed because they have the ability to differentiate into other types of cell
how can stem cells be used to cure a patient
- stem cells are from same patient, thus no rejection
- stem cells receive stimulus from surrounding heart cells
- causes genes to be activated
- active genes transcribed to produce mRNA
- mRNA is translated to produce proteins
Describe how society controls the use of embryonic stem cells in medical
research.
A description that makes reference to the following:
• regulatory bodies / laws / High Court (1)
Plus any three from:
• setting or considering ethical / moral aspects (1)
• judging what is acceptable / follow a code of practice (1)
• checking that source of stem cells is acceptable (1)
• decide on maximum age of embryo allowed for research
/ nervous system develops / feels pain (1)
• human cloning is illegal (1)
Explain how epigenetic changes can cause differences in a characteristic.
histone modification / DNA methylation (1)
• {affects activation of / activates / deactivates} genes (1)
• affecting { enzyme production / metabolism } (1)
What does monogenic mean
Only controlled by one gene: tend to show discontinuous variation
What does polygenic mean
Controlled by a no of genes at different loci - show continuous variation
Continuos variation
No distinct categories eg height
Discontinuous variation
Two or more distinct categories eg blood group
How can epigenetic changes be passed on after cell division
- When a cell divides and replicates, changes to its gene expression may be passed on to resulting daughter cells.
- If passed on, this means certain genes activated/deactivated in original cells will also be in daughter cells
- Daughter cells will be equipped to deal with changed environment like original cell
the wall of the sieve tube element contains?
hemicellulose, microfibrils and pectin
why does a sieve tube not require RER and ribosomes
there will be no transcription
no proteins will be synthesised to be processed in RER
which compounds in plants contain nitrogen from nitrate ions
DNA, enzymes and amino acids
how are nitrate ions transported from root to leaves
- through xylem vessels
- in water/ transpiration stream
Explain the effects of a shortage of magnesium ions on a plant.
- limits production of chlorophyll
- lack of glucose due to less photosynthesis
- plants may be yellow and small