Unit 11 Flashcards
Define chromatin
The complex of DNA and protein
What are some characteristics of euchromatin form heterochromatin?
- Less condensed
- On chromosome arms
- Comprised of unique sequences
- Many genes
- Crossing over is common
- Transcription occurs often
- Replicated throughout S phase
What part of the chromosome is highly heterochromatic?
Centromeres and telomeres
What causing supercoiling of DNA?
When energy is used to add or remove any turns and strain is places on the molecule
Define Positive supercoiling
Over rotating
Define Negative Supercoiling
underrotating
What is a nucleoid?
Bacterial DNA confined to a definite region of the cytoplasm
What is a nucleosome and what are its components?
-The fundamental repeating unit of chromosome
Comprised of
- Eight histone proteins
-associated with about 200 bp of DNA
What is the role of histone protein H1?
H1 binds to 20-22 bp of DNA where the DNA joins and leaves the histone octamer and helps lock DNA into place, acting as a clamp around the nucleosome.
What comprises the “beads-on-a-string” model of chromatin?
-linker (spacer) DNA
-H1
-Nucleosome core
What is a telomere?
The natural ends of a chromosome, serving as caps that stabilize the ends of the chromosome.
Describe the DNA sequence of a human telomere.
5’ - TTAGGG - 3’ - Telomere
3’ - AATCCC - 5’ Telomerase
What is meant by the C-value paradox?
The absence of a relation between C-value (genome sizes) of eukaryotes and organismal complexity
What is a gene family?
Set of genes that are similar in sequence and that arose through duplication events; often encode different protein products
Give an example of a gene family:
-The genes that encode beta-like globins
-The genes that encode immunoglobulin proteins in vertebrates
Give an example of moderately repetitive DNA that is functional:
Multiple copies of the genes for ribosomal RNAs and transfer RNAs.
What is the non-transcribed DNA between adjacent genes termed?
Intergenic regions
What are structural genes?
Protein-encoding genes
Describe bacterial DNA:
Circular, double-stranded DNA compacted into nucleoid (non-membrane bound structures) and associated with ”histone-like” proteins
What are microdomains?
looped domains emanating from the core – can compact further forming macrodomains