Week 3: Genetics Flashcards
What does DNA contain?
the basic genetic information in a cell
Define nucleotide
molecules that contain a deoxyribose sugar, phosphate and a base
What are the bases? How do they pair in complementary base pairing (include # of hydrogen bonds)?
Thymine, Cytosine, adenine, guanine
Adenine + Thymine: 2 hydrogen bonds
Guanine + Cytosine: 3 hydrogen bonds
How is single-stranded DNA formed?
formed between the sugars and phosphates of the nucleotides
What is the sugar phosphate backbone?
structural framework of nucleic acids
- How is double-stranded DNA formed?
2. What is the ultimate structure double-stranded DNA forms?
- formed as hydrogen bonds form between bases between two strands of DNA
- double-helix
How are DNA strands oriented?
5’ to 3’ orientation, strands are arranged in opposite directions
How is DNA organized in the nucleus and when is this structure visible in the cell?
Organized in chromosomes, visible during the cell cycle
How are histones used?
DNA is wrapped around histones to consolidate and organize the genetic information
How is chromatin formed?
Chromatin formed when DNA associates with histones
What is the genome?
the haploid set of chromosomes in a gamete or microorganism, or in each cell of a multicellular organism
What is a karyotype?
evaluation of the number and content of chromosomes
Where (1) and how (2) does DNA replication occur (3 main steps)?
- the nucleus
- DNA polymerase makes a copy of the genetic information in each chromosome
- DNA replication begins at specific sites in the DNA and proceeds in a 5’ to 3’ direction
- Molecule is unwound to create a replication fork where complementary base pairing is done by polymerase – base paring ensures DNA information is copied faithfully
Define mitosis & cytokinesis
Mitosis: division of the nucleus
Cytokinesis: division of the cell
Explain the basic functions of DNA with regard to replication and translation
Replication: performed to maintain the genetic information in a cell
Translation: process by which RNA translates DNA into a form that can be used for protein synthesis
Define semi-conservative replication (1) and explain the value of this process to health and disease (2)
- DNA is semi-conservative: each resulting DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand
- Ensures mistakes or mutations can be fixed as the strand is marked with methyl groups that can be identified by DNA repair enzymes
How does semi-conservative replication relate to DNA repair?
Using the methyl markings, DNA repair enzymes detect any mismatches between bases and fix the mistake in the new strand by using the original information as a template
Describe what is meant by the term “genetic code” (1) and generally how a genetic mutation can alter protein structure and function (2)?
- Genetic code = groups of 3 nucleotides that specify an amino acid to be created
- Mutations can result in an aberrant protein sequence which can alter protein structure and function
Define mutation, silent mutation, missense mutation, nonsense mutation.
mutation: errors in the DNA sequence
silent mutation: mutations that do not change the amino acid
missense mutation: mutation that alters the amino acid but may or may not alter protein structure and function
nonsense mutation: mutation that introduces a stop to protein synthesis
How is genetic information from DNA transferred through complementary base pairing?
Complementary base pairing between the mRNA codon and tRNA anticodon specify a strict association between the genetic information and amino acid sequence
Define and distinguish between somatic and germline mutations.
Mutations in germline cells (gametes) can be inherited whereas mutations in somatic cells are not inherited
How is human genetics used for disease diagnosis?
Genetic changes can be markers of disease – predict disease risk or likelihood of response to certain treatments
Define mitosis and meiosis. What cells do they occur in?
mitosis: division of the nucleus in somatic cells
meiosis: division of the nucleus in gametes