Unit 3 AOS1: DNA Flashcards
DNA structure and function
DNA is made of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. These building blocks are made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar group and one of four types of nitrogen bases. To form a strand of DNA, nucleotides are linked into chains, with the phosphate and sugar groups alternating
DNA vs RNA
Sugar
Function
Subunits (bases)
Structure
Sugar
DNA: Deoxyribose
RNA: Ribose (has an extra OH group)
Function
DNA: Makes up the genetic code
RNA: Involved in every stage on gene expression
Subunits DNA nucleotides: -Thymine -Adenine -Cytosine -Guanine RNA nucleotides: -Uracil -Adenine -Cytosine -Guanine Structure DNA: Double-stranded RNA: Single-stranded
DNA replication
DNA replication is the biological process of producing two identical replicas of DNA from one original DNA molecule. DNA replication occurs in all living organisms acting as the most essential part for biological inheritance
RNA structure and function
RNA is typically single-stranded and is made of ribonucleotides that are linked by phosphodiester bonds. A ribonucleotide in the RNA chain contains ribose (the pentose sugar), one of the four nitrogenous bases (A, U, G, and C), and a phosphate group.
Function: Involved in every stage on gene expression
pre-mRNA
The first (primary) transcript from a protein-coding gene is often called a pre-mRNA and contains both introns and exons. Pre-mRNA requires splicing (removal) of introns to produce the final mRNA molecule containing only exons.
mRNA
An RNA molecule transcribed from the DNA of a gene, and from which a protein is translated by the action of ribosomes. The basic function of the nucleotide sequence of mRNA is to determine the amino acid sequence in proteins.
tRNA
Transfer RNA. Small RNA molecules that carry amino acids to the ribosome for polymerization into a polypeptide. During translation the amino acid is inserted into the growing polypeptide chain when the anticodon of the tRNA pairs with a codon on the mRNA being translated.
rRNA
A class of RNA molecules, coded in the nucleolar organizer, that have an integral (but poorly understood) role in ribosome structure and function. RNA components of the subunits of the ribosomes.
mRNA formation
During transcription, the DNA of a gene serves as a template for complementary base-pairing, and an enzyme called RNA polymerase II catalyzes the formation of a pre-mRNA molecule, which is then processed to form mature mRNA
transcription
- Purpose is to copy a template strand of DNA into mRNA to carry the instructions for a polypeptide chain to a ribosome
- Occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells
- Amount of water in the nucleus increases.
- Prokaryotes are faster because mRNA is produced without the need for splicing.
Step 1. the enzyme RNA polymerase attaches to the promoter region of DNA just upstream of the gene
Step 2. The double stranded DNA making up this gene is unwound by the transcription factors by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds existing between its two strands – unpaired bases on the template strand are now exposed
Step 3. RNA polymerase constructs pre-mRNA by collecting free complementary RNA nucleotides using the exposed DNA template strand. It assembles the RNA nucleotides according to complementary base pairing rules. The nucleotides in eukaryotic cells are joined to form a single stranded pre-mRNA molecule
splicing (exons and introns)
The reaction that removes introns and joins together exons in eukaryotic nuclear primary RNA transcripts.
- “Changing pre-mRNA to prepare for translation.”
- Introns (regions of the gene that are transcribed but not translated) are spliced out
and exons are joined together. This is known as alternative (alternate) splicing, a form of post-transcriptional modification because both exons and introns are removed. - Exons can also be spliced and rearranged in different orders to produce different proteins in addition to introns being removed.
- A poly-A tail is added to the 3’ end
- A methyl cap is added to the 5’ end
protein synthesis transcription ini elo ter
- Initiation. The DNA molecule unwinds and separates to form a small open complex. RNA polymerase binds to the promoter of the template strand.
- Elongation. RNA polymerase moves along the template strand, synthesising an mRNA molecule.
- Termination. In prokaryotes there are two ways in which transcription is terminated. In Rho-dependent termination, a protein factor called “Rho” is responsible for disrupting the complex involving the template strand, RNA polymerase and RNA molecule. In Rho-independent termination, a loop forms at the end of the RNA molecule, causing it to detach itself.
protein synthesis translation i e t
- Initiation. The small subunit of the ribosome binds at the 5’ end of the mRNA molecule and moves in a 3’ direction until it meets a start codon (AUG). It then forms a complex with the large unit of the ribosome complex and an initiation tRNA molecule.
- Elongation. Subsequent codons on the mRNA molecule determine which tRNA molecule linked to an amino acid binds to the mRNA. An enzyme peptidyl transferase links the amino acids together using peptide bonds. The process continues, producing a chain of amino acids as the ribosome moves along the mRNA molecule.
- Termination. Translation is terminated when the ribosomal complex reached one or more stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA).
Protein structure
Primary
A sequence of amino acids. Covalent peptide bonds.
Monomers are joined by anabolic reactions which require energy.
Protein structure
Secondary
Gives proteins their properties; consists of alpha helixes, beta-pleated sheets and random coils. Hydrogen bonds form between carboxyl and amino groups.
Protein structure
Tertiary
The specific 3D shape of the protein that consists of a
secondary structure folded – the 3D shape of the protein determines its function. R groups interact with chemical bonds, hydrophobic interactions. Disulfide (disulphide) bonds also contribute.
Protein structure
Quarternary
Made up of 2 or more polypeptide chains joined together to form a functional protein. Note: this is different from two tertiary structures joined together.
Structural and Regulatory genes
- Regulatory genes code for a gene product that is involved in the expression of other genes. Interacts with structural gene by switching on and off.
- Structural genes code for a protein that is involved in everyday cellular metabolism. Produces enzymes & proteins.
Transcription Factors
A protein that binds to a cis-regulatory element (eg. an enhancer, a TATA box) and thereby, directly or indirectly, affects the initiation of transcription. Eukaryotic proteins that aid RNA polymerase to recognize promoters. Analogous to prokaryotic sigma factors.
Anything that regulates gene transcription (i.e. repressor, activator, RNA polymerase)
Promoter region
Where RNA polymerase and other transcription factors bind; where transcription of structural genes’ pre-mRNA or mRNA begin, 5’ ends – upstream of the coding region
A regulatory region a short distance upstream from the 5’ end of a transcription start site that acts as the binding site for RNA polymerase. A region of DNA to which RNA polymerase binds in order to initiate transcription.
Exons and Introns
Exon: A region of a gene that is present in the final functional transcript (mRNA) from that gene. Any non-intron section of the coding sequence of a gene; together the exons constitute the mRNA and are translated into protein
Intron: A DNA segment of largely unknown function within a gene that specifically interrupts the coding (exon) sequences of that gene. Introns are transcribed as part of the normal gene primary transcript, but intron sequences are not found in the functional mRNA. Intron sequences are removed from the primary transcript by a splicing mechanism.
Alternative splicing
Various ways of splicing out introns in eukaryotic pre-mRNAs resulting in one gene producing several different mRNAs and protein products.
The Lac Operon
Lac: digestion of lactose
Operon: “Group of linked genes that regulate protein
synthesis.”
An inducible operon including three loci involved in the uptake and breakdown of lactose in Escherichia coli.
1. Lactose binds to repressor on operator
2. Repressor is removed from operator
3. RNA polymerase activates promotor
4. Transcription of 3 pieces of protein mRNA occurs
5. Proteins are made via translation
Plant hormones
(aka. Plant growth regulators)
Source: plant cells that are undergoing growth, ripening, abscission etc.
- Act as signalling molecules that target various cells (those undergoing growth, ripening, abscission etc.) and produce specific effects
- Produced by individual cells in growing regions of the plant (e.g. roots, leaves)
- Usually transported in the phloem
Mode of transmission: ENDOCRINE (i.e. released into the bloodstream)
** The hormone ONLY acts on the target cells which possess the receptor for that specific hormone
Animal hormones
3 types
Source: endocrine glands in the body, e.g. cells, organs and glands Three types of animal hormones:
- Peptide and protein (hydrophilic – only have receptors on the cell membrane)
- Amino acid derived (hydrophilic – receptors on the cell membrane)
- Steroid/lipid derived – lipophilic (hydrophobic – receptors found inside the cell)