Unit 3 Exam guide Flashcards
What is genetics?
What is the smallest unit of heredity?
The science that studies the inheritance of
biological characteristics by living things; heredity
Smallest unit: Gene
Define: DNA, gene, chromosome, genome.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid): The genetic molecule
GENES: A specific segment of DNA with instruction for a single trait, or more specifically, a single protein or RNA.
CHROMOSOME: A discrete structure that is made up of a
single molecule of DNA (and all the genes for which that
DNA codes)
GENOME: The sum total of genetics material in a given cell. Chromosomes + plasmids = microbial genome
Draw each genome: eukaryotic (human vs. fruit fly), bacteria, viral
Eukaryotic: Nucleus and chromosome pairs
Bacterial: Circular DNA and plasmid
Viral: Sliver of DNA
The general structure of DNA consists of what three parts?
What type of bonds bind the 2 strands together?
What does complimentary base pair mean?
Three Parts:
Phosphate Group
Deoxyribose Sugar
Nitrogenous Base
Type of Bond:
Hydrogen Bond
Complimentary Base:
Pyrimidine - - - - Purine
A & T pairs
G & C pairs
The two strands make up a single molecule of DNA. The shape of DNA is what?
Double Helix
Protein synthesis is a 2 step process.
What are these 2 steps called?
Transcription and translation
Describe Transcription
DNA template –> mRNA
>Carried out by enzyme RNA Polymerase
Eukaryotes: Nucleus
Prokaryotes: Cytoplasm
Gene –> mRNA
(DNA sequence)
Describe Translation
MRNA –> amino acid sequence of polypeptide chain
Euk & Prok – Ribosome
MRNA –> amino acid sequence
Start codon AUG (polypeptide chain)
Ribosome unit binds to mRNA which binds to tRNA initiator that binds to start codon
Then the subsequent codons come, enter the ribosome carrying their amino acid which covalently bind with the previous amino acid. This will create the polypeptide chain, which will become the protein when folded properly.
(tRNA molecules can only bind to a single specific amino acid, respective to their structure and can only bind to their complementary codon pair in sequence)
During step 1, the genetic code is passed from ___ to ___
DNA to RNA
- RNA Polymerase synthesizes RNA strand based from DNA template
During the second step of protein synthesis , the genetic code (in the form of a nucleotide sequence) is translated in the language of proteins, the ______ ______ building blocks.
Amino Acid
Which enzyme carries out transcription
RNA Polymerase
What 3 steps are involved in transcription
Initiation: promotor region recognized, RNA Polymerase binds to promotor region
Elongation: RNA Polymerase moves down DNA strand, synthesizing corresponding mRNA
Termination: RNA Polymerase reaches terminator codon, mRNA is released, DNA refixes itself
Where does transcription occur in bacteria? In eukaryotes?
Bacteria: Cytosol
Eukaryotes: Inside the nucleus
What is a codon?
Codon: Triplet code from mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid
How does RNA differ from DNA? (think number of strands, nucleotides)
DNA is double stranded, RNA is generally single stranded
DNA’s bases: Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine
RNA’s bases: Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, Guanine
At what cellular structure does translation, the second step of protein synthesis occur?
Translation occurs at the ribosome (Both prok and euk)
The genetic code gets translated into the protein sequence consisting of _______ and a ________ chain is produced
Consisting of Amino Acids
A polypeptide chain is produced
What three steps are involved in translation?
Initiation: Ribosome binds to mRNA at start codon, first amino acid (methionine) binds to start codon,
Elongation: Ribosome moves along mRNA 5’ –> 3’, tRNA molecules bring amino acid to ribosome, peptide bonds form building polypeptide chain, the tRNAs release
Enzymes in ribosome make peptide bonds while . . .
Termination: When ribosome reaches stop codon translation ends, polypeptide chain is released
What is the role of the ribosome?
Protein synthesis
What is the role of tRNA?
Deliver the correct amino acids to the ribosome in the correct order
What about the tRNA ensures that the right amino acid is getting added to the growing polypeptide chain?
The tRNA’s anticodon holds a set of three nucleotides which is complementary to a specific codon on the mRNA.
What is a codon and what do they code for?
What is the start codon?
How would you determine the sequence of the anti-codon?
A codon is a sequence of three nucleotide bases in mRNA that code for specific amino acids.
Start codon: AUG
Determine sequence of anti-codon:
1. Identify the codon in the mRNA.
2. Find the complementary bases for the codon (remembering that RNA uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T)).
3. Reverse the direction because the anti-codon is complementary and anti-parallel to the codon
In what direction would you “read” DNA or RNA? What is meant by the term “anti-parallel”?
From the 5’ end to the 3’ end
Anti-paralle: One strand runs in the 5’ - 3’ direction, while the complementary strand runs in the opposite 3’ to 5’ direction. This allows bases to pair correctly
Distinguish between mRNA. tRNA, and rRna.
On what type of RNA can the anti-codon be found?
BLANK
What is the purpose of a start codon? A stop codon? Identify both.
Start:
- Begins the process of Translation
- AUG = Methionine
Stop:
- Signals end of translation
- UAA, UAG, UGA = No amino acid
Can more than one codon code for a single amino acid?
Can more than one codon code for a single amino acid?
What is a polyribosomal complex? In what type of organisms do we find these (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or both)?
The structure formed when multiple ribosomes simultaneously translate the same mRNA molecule
They are found in both proks + euks
Compare and contrast eukaryotic transcription and bacterial transcription. What extra steps occur during transcription in eukaryotic organisms? What is RNA processing (what three things happen?) in eukaryotic cells and what is its significance? What is the enzyme complex responsible for carrying out splicing?
Extra steps:
mRNA processing by spliceosome
Transport of mRNA from nucleus to ribosome
Define: exon, intron, spliceosome.
Exon: Regions of pre-mRNA that will be expressed
Introns: Regions of pre-mRNA that will be cut out; NOT be expressed
Spliceosomes: Cut the introns out of the mRNA and glue the exons together
What is alternative splicing and what is its significance? How does the concept of alternative splicing change the central dogma that 1 gene codes for 1 protein?
In eukaryotes, one gene can code for multiple proteins.
Cut out what’s not needed or add whatever for creation of the protein.
Think: recipe book, but you can always modify the recipe as needed
Why do cells regulate protein synthesis (think about it in terms of energy expenditure)?
Cells want to save energy
Regulate enzymes that won’t be used again right away