Unit 3.1: Bacterial Genetics Flashcards
briefly describe the chain of events of central dogma
DNA > mRNA > Protein > Function
briefly describe how mutations change the chain of events of central dogma
mutated DNA > altered mRNA > altered protein > altered function
name the two types of mutations to DNA
- base substitution
- frameshift mutation
briefly describe a base substitution mutation
a single DNA pair is altered
briefly describe a frameshift mutation
DNA base pairs are added or removed from the sequence (causing a shift in the sequence reading)
briefly describe an inducible operon
- with repressor bound to the DNA
- genes that are in the “off” mode, turned “on” by the environmental inducer
briefly describe a repressible operon
- without the repressor bound to the DNA
- genes that are in the “on” mode, turned “off” by the environmental corepressor and repressor
give example results of the alteration of bacterial genes or their expression
(disease) toxic proteins cause damage
(prevents treatment) biofilms, antibiotic resistance
(human benefit) biotechology such as making insulin
describe genetics
the study of genes, how they carry information, how information is expressed, and how genes are replicated
describe chromosomes
structure that physically carries hereditary information as DNA, they contain genes
describe genes
segments of DNA that encode functional products, usually proteins
describe genome
all the genetic information in a cell
what is the genetic code
a set of rules that determines how a nucleotide sequence is converted into an amino acid sequence of a protein
describe genotype
the genetic makeup of an organism
describe phynotype
expression of the genes
briefly describe the structure of chromosomes found in bacteria
bacteria usually have a single circular chromosome made of DNA and associated proteins
name or phrase for:
the repeating sequences of noncoding DNA
Short Tandem Repeats
aka STRs
the name or phrase for:
the flow of genetic information from one generation to the next
vertical gene transfer
DNA is the blueprint for what?
a cell’s proteins, including enzymes
from what sources is DNA obtained?
either from
* another cell of the same generation
* a parent cell during cell division
describe gene expression
genetic information is used within a cell to produce the proteins needed for the cell to function
describe gene recombination
genetic information transferred between cells of the same generation
(aka horizontally)
describe gene replication
genetic information transferred to the next generation of cells
(aka vertically)
DNA can be (blank) within a cell,
or transferred to another cell through (blank) and (blank)
expressed within a cellor transferred through recombination and replication
What is the form/structure of DNA?
double helix
Of what does the “backbone” of DNA consist?
deoxyribose-phosphate
The two strands of nucleotides of DNA are held together by what (between the A-T, C-G)?
hydrogen bonds
Describe the orientation of the two strands of DNA to each other.
antiparallel,
the sugar-phosphate backbone of one strand is upside down relative to the other strand
During DNA replication, each strand serves as a template for what?
for the production of a second strand
Name the two proteins that relax the strands of DNA for replication.
- topoisomerase
- gyrase
Name the protein that separates the strands.
Helicase
Describe the functions of DNA polymerase.
DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand
* removes RNA primers,
* joins Okazaki fragments (DNA ligase participates)
Other things to know about DNA polymerase (in addition to its functions).
DNA polymerase adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand
– In the 5‘ 3’ direction
– Initiated by an RNA primer
– Leading strand is synthesized continuously
– Lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously, creating Okazaki fragments
Describe the energy needs of DNA replication.
– Energy for replication is supplied by nucleotides
– Hydrolysis of two phosphate groups on ATP provides energy
Regarding the energy source for adding a nucleotide to DNA, when a nucleotide triphosphate bonds to the sugar, what happens?
- it loses two phosphates
- hydrolysis of the phosphate bonds provides the energy for the reaction.
Which direction does DNA replication proceed in bacteria?
Most bacterial DNA replication is bi-directional
How many copies of the DNA is made for offspring cells?
Each offspring cell receives one copy of the DNA molecule
What is the source of accuracy for DNA replication?
Replication is highly accurate due to the proofreading capability of DNA polymerase
Describe some features of
Ribonucleic acid
– Single-stranded nucleotide
– 5-carbon ribose sugar
– Contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T)
name the RNA integral to ribosomes
Ribosomal RNA
aka rRNA
name the RNA that transports amino acids during protein synthesis
Transfer RNA
aka tRNA
name the RNA that carries coded information from DNA to ribosomes
Messenger RNA
aka mRNA
describe the process of transcription
genetic information in DNA is copied into a complementary base sequence of RNA
what indicates the beginning of transcription?
RNA polymerase binds to
the promoter sequence on DNA
In what direction is DNA transcribed in prokaryotes?
Transcription proceeds in the 5‘ -> 3’ direction
Regarding transcription in prokaryotes, how many strands are involved?
only one of the two strands of DNA is transcribed
what indicates the end of transcription?
transcription stops when it reaches the terminator sequence on DNA
Why is protein synthesis called “translation?”
because it involves decoding the “language” of nucleic acids and converting it into the “language” of proteins.
describe codons
groups of three mRNA nucleotides that
code for a particular amino acid
describe sense codons
codons involved in making amino acids
describe nonsense codons
codons involved in stopping protein synthesis, aka stop codons
number of sense codons and the number of possible amino acids
61 codons make 20 amino acids
as it relates to DNA and codons, briefly describe degeneracy
redundancy of the genetic code, each amino acid is coded by several codons
What is the three letter code for the codon that starts translation of mRNA
AUG
What are the three letter codes for the codons that end translation of mRNA.
UAA, UAG, UGA
In what order are the codons of mRNA “read?”
codons of mRNA are read sequentially
What is the function of tRNA molecules?
these transport the required amino acids to the ribosome
In tRNA molecules, what base-pairs with the codon?
an anticodon
Regarding translation, what joins amino acids?
peptide bonds
Regarding the process of translation, the place where the first tRNA is paired with the start codon is called what?
the P site
Regarding the process of translation, the place where the next tRNA is paired is called what?
The next codon to be
translated is brought into the A site.
Regarding the process of translation, the tRNA moves from the A site, to the P site, to what area before it is released?
The tRNA is released from the E site.
Regarding the process of translation, when the ribosome reaches a stop codon, what happens next?
the polypeptide is released, it then forms a new protein!
In bacteria, when can translation begin.
In bacteria, translation can begin before transcription
is complete