topic 4 Flashcards
compare prokaryote and eukaryote genomic structure
prok:
- nucleoid
- less compact
- single circular chromosome + plasmid
euk:
- nucleus
- highly compact
- multiple linear chromosomes
- haploid or diploid
what is gene density?
- average number of genes per megabase (Mb) of genomic DNA
- less dense in more complicated organisms due to larger genome size (more introns, not just more genes)
4 parts of a euk chromosome
- kinetochore
- centromeres
- telomeres
- origins of replication
what is a centromere
DNA sequences that are required for the formation of kinetochore complex. 1 centromere/chromosome
what is the kinetochore
protein complex that forms on the centromeres for interacting with spindles during chromosome segregation in cell division
what are telomeres and their key features
TG-rich repeats that cap ends of chromosome, protect from damage and loss.
2 pairs per chromosome
features:
- distinguish the chromosome ends from chromosome and other DNA breakage sites (i.e. prevent frequent DNA recombination and degradation)
- serve as a specialized origin of replication for replicating ends of chromosomes
what is the origin of replication
sites where DNA replication machinery assembles and begins replication; many origins per chromosome
goals of gap phases
provides time for cells to achieve two goals:
- prepare for next phase of cell cycles
- check completion of previous phase (cell cycle checkpoint)
Key Events in the S Phase
- each chromosome of a duplicated pair = chromatid (sister chromatids)
- DNA replication begins at origins, spreads in both directions
- cohesin = protein that forms rings to hold sister chromatids together
Mitotic Events
● a kinetochore forms on each chromosome, connects to spindles, which are connected to the microtubule organizing centre (MTOC or centrosomes)
● cohesin is cleaved
● sister chromatids separate to opposite poles
during what phase are chromosomes less compact?
interphase
(G1+S+G2)
when are chromosomes most compact
during mitosis
(chromosome condensation)
to facilitate their segregation
- M phase is max condensation
what is the role of cohesin? condensin?
cohesin: required for holding the 2 sister chromatids
condensin: required for chromosome condensation
when does attachment happen during mitosis? meiosis?
mitosis - M phase
meiosis
- monovalent attachment during M1
- bivalent attachment during M2
Advantages of DNA packing
- protect DNA from damaging
- proper segregation during cell division
Disadvantages of DNA packing
reduces accessibility to cellular machinery needed for cell function
e.g., DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination
what is a nucleosome and how compact are they
- building blocks of chromosomes
● composed of 8 histone proteins + ~2 rounds of DNA wrapped around each histone core
● 6X compaction
what is micrococcal nuclease (MNase):
- sequence-nonspecific nuclease
- cleaves protein-free DNA rapidly and protein-associated DNA poorly
what proteins comprise histones
- highly basic (arginine and lysine rich) proteins
H3 and H4 form a ______?
H2A and H2B form a ______?
tetremer
heterodimer
does a nucleosome have any symmetry?
~two fold symmetry in two axes in the complex