Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms Flashcards
why is the genetic code described as universal
each triplet codes for the same amino acid in all organisms
prokaryotic DNA
-short
-circular
-not associated with proteins
eukaryotic DNA
-long
-linear
-associated with proteins called histones
-forms chromosomes
-mitochondria and chloroplasts contains prokaryotic DNA
what do genes code for
A gene is a sequence of DNA bases that code for..:
-amino acid sequence of a polypeptide
-a functional RNA
what is a gene
sequence of DNA bases that codes for a specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide
triplet
A sequence of three DNA bases is called a triplet
A triplet codes for a specific amino acid. The genetic code is universal, non-overlapping and degenerate
degenerate
most amino acids are coded for by more than one triplet
non overlapping
each base in an exon is only read once
universal
each triplet codes for the same amino acid in all organisms
what is the fixed position which a gene occupies on a DNA molecule
locus/loci
gene coding
A gene includes coding exons and non-coding introns sections of DNA
How many bases code for a polypeptide of 24 amino acids
24 x 3 = 72
Explain how a change in sequence of DNA bases could result in a non-functional enzyme
-change in sequence of amino acids
-change in bonding of tertiary structure so shape of active site is altered
-no enzyme substrate complexes can be formed
Give two differences between the structure of mRNA and the structure of tRNA
-tRNA is clover shaped whereas mRNA is straight chained
-tRNA is only 80 bases (short) whereas mRNA is longer
-mRNA has no paired bases whereas tRNA does
describe how mRNA is produced from an exposed template strand of DNA
-free RNA nucleotides form complimentary base pairs
-phosphodiester bonds form by action of RNA polymerase
Describe how mRNA is formed by transcription in eukaryotes
-hydrogen bonds break between complimentary base pairs of DNA molecule by DNA helicase
-one DNA strand acts as a template
-free RNA nucleotides align by complimentary base pairings
-uracil replaced thymine
-RNA polymerase joins adjacent nucleotides by phosphodiester bonds
-pMRNA is spliced
what is a codon
sequence of 3 bases on mRNA that codes for a single amino acid
anticodon
a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.
true or false - in eukaryotic cells is only where pre-mRNA is formed
true
introns
Introns –> sections of DNA that do not code for a polypeptide chain (protein)
exons
sections of DNA that code for a polypeptide chain (protein)
genome
-genome –> complete set of genes in an organism
proteome
-proteome –> full range of proteins produced by the genome
RNA
RNA –> single stranded, short, uracil replaces thymine, RNA polymerase, ribose pentose sugar
mRNA
mRNA –> contains genetic information from inside of the nucleus. DNA moves from cytoplasm to ribosomes for protein synthesis
tRNA
tRNA –> brings amino acids to mRNA to form proteins –> clover shape, short, only 80 bases long, amino acid attachment site, complimentary base pairs, anticodon
define transcription
-copy of DNA is made. This copy is known as messenger RNA which occurs in the nucleus of the cell
transcription
1) in nucleus, DNA helicase hydrolyses hydrogen bonds between complimentary base pairs to unwind double helix structure at target gene
2) free RNA nucleotides bind to complimentary base pairs on exposed template DNA strand
3) uracil replaces thymine
4) RNA polymerase catalyses formation of phosphodiester bonds between ribose sugar and phosphate groups of adjoining nucleotides to form sugar phosphate backbone
5) messenger RNA is formed and moves out of nucleus into cytoplasm. Pre-mRNA strand is spliced before leaving nucleus
6) DNA recoils as hydrogens bonds reform between template and coding strands
splicing of pre-mRNA
-removal of introns from mRNA to leave only exons
-functional exons joined together by splicing
-because most prokaryotic cells don’t have introns they don’t require splicing
define translation
-process where mRNaA is read and translated into a protein
-translation occurs on the ribosomes
-translation involves another type of RNA molecules known as tRNA
similarities between mRNA and tRNA
-both contain uracil
-both single stranded
-both contain codons (triplet bases)
differences between mRNA and tRNA
-mRNA is straight whereas tRNA is clover shaped
-mRNA is less stable than tRNA
-mRNA is larger than tRNA
-tRNA has an anticodon whereas mRNA doesn’t
-tRNA has an amino acid binding site whereas mRNA doesn’t
translation
1) mRNA leaves nucleus via a nuclear pore
2) mRNA attaches to a ribosome at start of codon
3) tRNA with an anticodon complimentary to start codon arrives at ribosome. TRNA molecule has specific amino acid attached to it
4) another tRNA molecule binds to second codon on mRNA. This brings another amino acid with it
5) Peptide bond forms between two amino acids
6) First tRNA molecule then leaves and process continues until stop codon is released. This is complimentary to the anticodon on a tRNA which does not have an associated amino acid. This signal the end of a polypeptide chain
define the term exon
sequence of DNA that codes for a polypeptide chain
explain how the proteome of a genetically modifed cell differs to one that is not genetically modified
-expression of a gene from different species
-new protein is formed
explain how can increase in rate of transcription of PIP1b gene will affect permeability of tobacco plant
-more aquaporin channels
-increase permability
describe the role of a ribosome in the production of a polypeptide
-mRNA attaches to ribosome at start codon
-2 codons
-allows tRNA iwth anticodons to bind
-specific sequence of amino acids with peptide bonds formed
true or false - pre-mrna has introns and mRNA doesnt
true
starting with mRNA in the cytoplasm, describe how translation leads to the production of a polypeptide
-mRNA attaches to ribosome
-codon on mRNA binds to anticodon on tRNA
-each tRNA brings a specific amino acid
-sequence of codons determines order of amino acids
-formation of peptide bonds
define species
organisms with similar features that are capable of breeding to produce living fertile offspring
naming organism
binomial systems
genus + species
signs of a recent common ancestor
-physical features, courtship behaviour, genome sequencing, amino acid sequencing, immune response
courtship behaviour (essential for successful mating)
-attracts members of the same species
-attracts member of the opposite sex
-indicated readiness to mate
-simulates making and release of gametes
-encouraged bond to raise young
start vs stop codon
start -> first 3 bases on DNA or mRNA
stop –> final 3 bases that do not code for an amino acid (mark end of polypeptide chain and cause ribosomes to detach)
how many amino acids does the genetic code, code for
20
what is a mutation
change in base sequence on a chromosome which results in the formation of a new allele
allele
different version of a gene
explain how a gene mutation could result in a new protein
-change in sequence of bases as a result of subsitution
-change in primary amino acid sequence
-change in tertiary structure of a protein
Explain why mutation 1 leads to the production of non-functional protein
-deletion of a base alters triplet/codon on mRNA molecule
-this change results in change in primary sequence of amino acids
-this change alters the hydrogen bonding in tertiary structure
define gene mutation and explain how a gene mutation can have no effect and a positive effect
-gene mutation is a change in base sequence of a chromosome molecule which results in the formation of a new allele
no effect –> when mutation occurs in an intron as it does not code for a polypeptide or if mutation occurs in recessive allele
positive effect –> change in properities of protein which leads to increased survival and reproductive success
define a mutagenic agent and give an example
-environmental factors which increase rate of mutation
e.g high energy radiation
what is a substitution mutation
replacement of a base by a different base in DNA
mutations
-a mutation is a change in the base sequence on a chromosome which results in the formation of a new allele
-mutations are random events which occur in S phase of cell cycle
-Some environmental factors can increase rate of mutation e,g toxins/radiation
-mutations don’t always change the protein formed e.g when it occurs in introns or bc the genetic code is degenerate bc same amino acid is being coded for
-some mutations result in a change in protein structure due to change in amino acid sequence which affects bonding in teritary structure
-mutations don’t always have negative effects e.g can increase an organisms chance of survival
causes of mutations
-occur spontaneously during interphase as DNA is replicated and it is the longest stage of the cell cycle
-high energy radiation or ionising energy can disrupt DNA e.g x-rays or UV light
-chemicals e.g nitrogen dioxide can disrupt DNA or interfere with transcription. Some chemicals in cigarette smoke can inactivate a tumor suppressor gene leading to cancer
natural mechanisms
-Natural mechanisms exist within cells to help identify and repair damaged to DNA but can become ineffective if rate of mutation increases above the normal rate
environmental factors which increase mutation rate
–> toxic chemicals e.g peroxides or bromine compounds
—> ionising radiation e.g gamma rays
–> high energy radiation e.g UV
–> some viruses – transfer of viral DNA into host DNA
what are the 2 types of mutation
-substiution
-deletion
substitution mutation
-wrong base is included in base sequence. May result in different amino acid being included in polypeptide chain
-however, if substitution results in a triplet that still codes for the same amino acid it may not change the sequence of amino acids at all bc the genetic code is degenerate
deletion mutation
-base is lost from the base sequence
-as a result the whole base sequence following the deleted base moves back one place (frame shift) which often has a significant effect on the encoded protein bc it can alter sequence of all codons following base deletion
-change of primary structure = fault enzymes/altered teritary structure
Describe how a gene is code for polypeptide
-nucleotide sequence in triplet determines primary sequence of amino acids
define non-coding base sequences and describe where it is positioned in the genome
-DNA that doesnt code for a polypeptide
-positioned between genes
similarites of DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
-nucelotide structure is identical
-joined by phosphodiester bonds
suggest one way the structure of the chromosome could differ along its length to result in the stain binding to some more areas
-difference in base sequence
what is a homogolous pair of chromosomes
two chromosomes that carry the same genes
describe and explain the appearance of one of the chromosomes in cell X
-chromosomes are constructed from 2 chromatids
-due to cells undergoing replication these are held together by the centromere
describe what has happened during division 1 of meiosis
homologous pair of chromosomes have been separated into each daughter cell
identify one event that occurred during division 2 but not during division 1
separation of chromatids
name 2 ways in which meiosis produces genetic variation
-independent segregation of homologous chromosomes
-crossing over
name how two amino acids can differ from one another
have different R groups
why is the genetic code described as being universal
in all organisms the same triplet codes for the same amino acid
explain why homologous chromosomes carry the same genes but are not genetically identical
carry different alleles
give one way which meiosis allows the production of genetically different cells
crossing over (alleles exchanged between chromosomes)
meiosis
-In meiosis the daughter cells are haploid and genetically different (4 daughter cells)
-involves 2 nuclear divisions
-2 stages in meiosis
diploid vs haploid
Diploid = 2 cells = full sets of chromosomes
Haploid = 4 cells = half sets of chromosomes
define a tetrad
collection of 2 sets of homologous pairs (crossover)
prophase 1
Prophase 1 (variation):
-chromosomes condense and become visible
-crossing over = recombination of genetic material from chromatids
-provides genetic variation
metaphase 1
Metaphase 1 (random)
-chromosomes line up in homologous pairs at the equator
-chromosomes separate on the spindle fibers
-centromere with kinetochore
-microtubule attached to kinetochore