Topic: DNA Flashcards
Explain the structure of the DNA double helix, including its subunits and the way in which they are bonded together. 8 marks
subunits are nucleotides
one base, one deoxyribose and one phosphate in each nucleotide
description/ diagram showing base linked to deoxyribose C1 and phosphate to C5
four different bases - adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine
nucleotides linked up with sugar-phosphate bonds
covalent/ phosphodiester bonds
two strands (of nucleotides) linked together
base to base
A to T and G to C
hydrogen bonds between bases
antiparallel strands
double helix drawn or described
Describe the genetic code. 6 marks
composed of mRNA base triplets
called codons
64 different codons
each codes for the addition of an amino acid to a growing polypeptide chain
the genetic code is degenerate
meaning more than one codon can code for a particular amino acid
the genetic code is universal
meaning it is the same in almost all organisms
(AUG is the) start codon
some (nonsense) codons code for the end of translation
Explain briefly the advantages and disadvantages of the universality of the genetic code to humans. 4 marks
genetic material can be transferred between species/ between humans
one species could use a useful gene from another species
transgenic crop plants/ livestock can be produced
bacteria/ yeasts can be genetically engineered to make a useful product
viruses can invade cells and take over their genetic apparatus
viruses cause disease
Distinguish between RNA and DNA. 3 marks
DNA is double-stranded while RNA is single-stranded;
DNA contains deoxyribose while RNA contains ribose;
the base thymine found in DNA is replaced by uracil in RNA;
one form of DNA (double helix) but several forms of RNA (tRNA, mRNA and rRNA);
Describe the roles of mRNA, tRNA and ribosomes in translation. 6 marks
mRNA with genetic code/ codons
tRNA with anticodon
tRNA with amino acid attached
ribosome with two sub-units
mRNA held by ribosome
start codon
two tRNA molecules attached with mRNA on ribosome
peptide bond between amino acids on tRNA
polypeptide forms
continues until a stop codon is reached
polypeptide is released
Outline the structure of the nucleosomes in eukaryotic chromosomes. 4 marks
contain histones
eight histone molecules form a cluster in a nucleosome
DNA strand is wound around the histones
wound around twice in each nucleosome
(another) histone molecule holds the nucleosome(s) together
Most of the DNA of a human cell is contained in the nucleus. Distinguish between unique and highly repetitive sequences in nuclear DNA. 5 marks
Award 1 for each pair of statements in a table, and 1 for any statement below the table.
U=Unique sequences; H= Highly repetitive sequences
U: occur once in genome; H: occur many times;
U: long base sequences; H: short sequences/5–300 bases;
U: (may be) genes; H: not genes;
U: (may be) translated/coding sequences; H: never translated;
U: small differences between individuals; H: can vary greatly;
U: exons (are unique sequences); H: introns (may be repetitive);
U: smaller proportion of genome; H: higher proportion of genome;
satellite DNA is repetitive;
repetitive sequences are used for profiling;
prokaryotes do not (usually) contain repetitive sequences;
Explain how the process of DNA replication depends on the structure of DNA. 9 marks
DNA molecule is double (stranded)
hydrogen bonds linking the two strands are weak/ can be broken
DNA can split into two strands
split by helicase
helicase moves progressively down the molecules
backbones are linked by covalent/ strong bonds
strands do not therefore break/ base sequence
conserved
reference to semi-
conservative replication
base pairing/ sequences are complementary
A=T and C=G
the two original strands therefore carry the same information
the two new strands have the same base sequence as the two original ones
the strands have polarity
base/ nucleotides added in 5 to 3 direction
the two strands have opposite polarity
discontinuous segments/ Okazaki fragments added to one strand
DNA ligase needed to connect the segments
Compare the processes of DNA replication and transcription. 9 marks
both involve unwinding the helix
both involve separating the two strands
both involve breaking hydrogen bonds between bases
both involve complementary base pairing
both involve C pairing with G
both work in a 5 --> 3 direction
both involve linking/ polymerization of nucleotides
replication with DNA
nucleotides and transcription with RNA nucleotides
details of ribose/ deoxyribose difference
adenine pairing with uracil instead of thymine
only one strand copied not both
no ligase/ no Okazaki fragments with transcription
DNA or RNA polymerase
both require a start signal
but this signal is different for each
transcription has only one starting point
but replication has multiple starting points
replication gives two DNA molecules whilst transcription gives mRNA
State a role for each of four different named enzymes in DNA replication. 6 marks
Award 1 mark for any two of the following up to 2 marks maximum.
helicase
DNA polymerase / DNA polymerase III
RNA primase
DNA polymerase I
(DNA) ligase
Award 1 mark for one function for each of the named enzymes.
helicase
splits/ breaks hydrogen bonds/ uncoils DNA/ unwinds DNA
(DNA) polymerase III
adds nucleotides (in 5’ to 3’ direction) extending existing strand
(RNA) primase
synthesizes a short RNA primer (which is later removed) on DNA
(DNA) polymerase I
replaces RNA primer with DNA
(DNA) ligase
joins Okazaki fragments/ fragments on lagging strand/ makes sugar-phosphate bonds between fragments
Explain the process of DNA replication. 8 marks
Accept any of the points above shown on an annotated diagram.
occurs during (S phase of ) interphase/in preparation for mitosis/cell division;
DNA replication is semi-conservative;
unwinding of double helix / separation of strands by helicase (at replication origin);
hydrogen bonds between two strands are broken;
each strand of parent DNA used as template for synthesis;
synthesis continuous on leading strand but not continuous on lagging strand;
leading to formation of Okazaki fragments (on lagging strand);
synthesis occurs in 5 3direction;
RNA primer synthesized on parent DNA using RNA primase;
DNA polymerase III adds the nucleotides (to the 3 end)
added according to complementary base pairing;
adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine pairs with guanine; (Both pairings required. Do not accept letters alone.)
DNA polymerase I removes the RNA primers and replaces them with DNA;
DNA ligase joins Okazaki fragments;
as deoxynucleoside triphosphate joins with growing DNA chain, two phosphates
broken off releasing energy to form bond;
Outline the structure of tRNA. 5 marks
Accept any of the points above if clearly explained using a suitably labelled diagram
tRNA is composed of one chain of (RNA) nucleotides
tRNA has a position/end/site attaching an amino acid (reject tRNA contains an amino acid)
at the 3’ terminal / consisting of CCA/ACC
tRNA has an anticodon
anticodon of three bases which are not base paired / single stranded / forming part of a loop
tRNA has double stranded sections formed by base pairing
double stranded sections can be helical
tRNA has (three) loops (somethimes with an extra small loop)
tRNA has a distinctive three dimensional / clover leaf shape
Outline the structure of a ribosome. 4 marks
small subunit and large subunit;
mRNA binding site on small subunit;
three tRNA binding sites / A, P and E tRNA binding sites;
protein and RNA composition (in both subunits);
Explain the process of translation. 9 marks
translation involves initiation, elongation/translocation and termination;
mRNA binds to the small sub-unit of the ribosome;
ribosome slides along mRNA to the start codon;
anticodon of tRNA pairs with codon on mRNA:
complementary base pairing (between codon and anticodon);
(anticodon of) tRNA with methionine pairs with start codon / AUG is the start codon;
second tRNA pairs with next codon;
peptide bond forms between amino acids;
ribosome moves along the mRNA by one codon;
movement in 5 to 3 direction;
tRNA that has lost its amino acid detaches;
another tRNA pairs with the next codon/moves into A site;
tRNA activating enzymes;
link amino acids to specific tRNA;
stop codon (eventually) reached;
Compare DNA transcription with translation. 4 marks
both in 5 to 3 direction
both require ATP
DNA is transcribed and mRNA is translated
transcription produces RNA and translation produces polypeptides/ protein
RNA polymerase for transcription and ribosomes for translation/ ribosomes in translation only
transcription in the nucleus (of eukaryotes) and translation in the cytoplasm/ at ER
tRNA needed for translation but not transcription
