Week 1 Flashcards
(100 cards)
Nucleic acids are found in the following 3 locations in a human cell:
Explain fundamentals of nucleic acids
nucleus, chloroplasts, mitochondria
What is the purpose of nucleic acids?
Explain fundamentals of nucleic acids
to store and express genetic info
What is the central dogma?
Explain the central dogma of molecular bio
flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein
What is transcription?
Explain the central dogma of molecular bio
DNA to RNA
What is translation?
Explain the central dogma of molecular bio
RNA to protein
What is replication?
Explain the central dogma of molecular bio
When DNA replicates itself
What is reverse transcription, and when is it used?
Explain the central dogma of molecular bio
RNA to DNA. It is used in the PCR technique and by viruses
What is the difference between nucleotides and nucleosides?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA (composed of nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate group). NucleoSIDEs (just nitrogenous base plus sugar)
State the order of structure of building DNA
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
Nucleoside –> Nucleotide –> Nucleic Acids –> DNA
What is the significance of a phosphodiester bond in regards to DNA/RNA?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
It is responsible for stablizing the backbone of the structure
What is Chargaff rule?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
states the amount of purines is equal to pyridimines
What type of bond links the sugar and nitrogenous base?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
N-Glycosidic linkage
How many hydrogen bonds link adenine and thymine?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
2
How many hydrogen bonds link cysteine and guanine?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
3
What charge is a histone and why is this significant?
Assess the histones
it is positive and since DNA is negatively charged, they can interact to form chromatin
What is a nucleosome?
a section of DNA wrapped around a group of proteins (like a histone)
What are the five classes of histones?
Assess the histones
H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4
Explain the organization of DNA into chromosomes.
Explain the organization of DNA into the chromosomes
DNA –> “bead on a string” nucleosomes –> 30nm chromatin –> chromosome extended form –> chromosome condensed –> paird metaphase chromosome
What is Tm (melting temperature)?
It is the temperature at which 1/2 of the DNA is unwinded
What are the forms of DNA?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
B form (most popular), A form, Z form
What is B form DNA?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
most common form of DNA. Double-stranded, right-handed, 10 bps per turn
What is A form DNA?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
dehydrated B form DNA, right-handed, 11 bps per turn, 20 degree twist
What is Z form DNA?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
left-handed, 12 bps per turn
Transitions between which two forms of DNA is crucial for gene expression?
Describe the structure, properties, and forms of DNA
B and Z