Unit 4 Flashcards
DNA – Structure related to function (7)
- stable due to numerous hydrogen bonds so can be passed on from generation to generation;
- weak hydrogen bonds between strands are easily broken for DNA replication or protein synthesis;
- large so can carry a lot of genetic information;
- base pairs are contained within the helix and held in place by the strong sugar-phosphate backbone;
- complementary base pairs allow the synthesis of an identical daughter molecule;
- 2 strands so both can act as templates;
- helical shape means that it can be coiled so compact for storage
DNA – Degenerate and Non-overlapping (2)
- Degenerate: more than one (base) triplet for each amino acid;
- Non-overlapping: each base is part of only one triplet;
DNA – Comparing DNA and mRNA (6)
- DNA double stranded/double helix and mRNA single-stranded;
- DNA (very) long and RNA short;
- Thymine/T in DNA and uracil/U in RNA;
- Deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA;
- DNA has base pairing and mRNA doesn’t/ DNA has hydrogen bonding and mRNA doesn’t;
- DNA has introns/non-coding sequences and mRNA doesn’t;
Comparing mRNA and tRNA (3)
- mRNA longer;
- mRNA is a straight molecule but tRNA is a folded molecule/clover-leaf shaped molecule;
- mRNA doesn’t not contain hydrogen bonds but tRNA has hydrogen bonds;
Which two molecules are ribosomes made from? (2)
- One of RNA/ribonucleic acid(s)/nucleotide(s)/nucleic acid(s)/rRNA/ribosomal RNA/ribosomal ribonucleic acid;
- One of protein(s)/polypeptide(s)/amino acid(s)/ peptide(s)/ribosomal protein
Define the term exon.
Base sequence coding for polypeptide/sequence of amino acids
Name the proteins associated with DNA
Histone
Differences between prokaryotic DNA and Eukaryotic DNA (5)
eukaryote v prokaryote
1. (Associated with) histones/proteins v no histones/proteins;
2. Linear v circular;
3. No plasmids v plasmids;
Do not credit if suggestion that prokaryotic DNA only exists as plasmids.
4. Introns v no introns;
5. Long(er) v short(er);
Transcription – Describe transcription (7)
- DNA strands separate by breaking hydrogen bonds;
- (Only) one of the strands is used as a template (to make mRNA);
- Complementary base pairing so A to U, T to A, C to G, G to C;
- (RNA) nucleotides joined by RNA polymerase;
- Forms phosphodiester bonds
- Pre-mRNA formed;
- Splicing/ introns removed to form mRNA
Translation – Describe translation (7)
- mRNA binds to ribosome;
- ribosome moves to start codon/AUG
- Idea of two codons/binding sites;
- (Allows) tRNA with anticodons to bind/associate with codon on mRNA;
- tRNA brings specific amino acid;
- mRNA moves along to the next codon;
- (Catalyses) formation of peptide bond between amino acids (held by tRNA molecules);
Translation – Role of ribosome (5)
- mRNA binds to ribosome;
- Idea of two codons/binding sites;
- (Allows) tRNA with anticodons to bind/associate;
- (Catalyses) formation of peptide bond between amino acids (held by tRNA molecules);
- Moves along (mRNA to the next codon)/translation described
Translation – Role of tRNA (4)
- anticodon complementary to codon/reads message on mRNA;
- specific amino acid;
- carried/transferred (to ribosome);
- correct sequence of amino acids along polypeptide;
Describe how a phosphodiester bond is formed between two nucleotides within a DNA molecule.
- Condensation (reaction)/loss of water;
2 between phosphate and deoxyribose;
3 (catalysed by) DNA Polymerase
What is a gene
A sequence of DNA nucleotides that codes for a polypeptide;
The genome is…..
(The) complete set of genes in a cell. OR (All) the DNA in a cell/organism;