Biological Information: DNA and RNA Flashcards
What is genetic information and how is it stored?
Genetic information is stored in DNA and RNA as genes in all cells. Genes are passed on from parent to daughter cells millions of times during life. The genes of RNA & DNA contain instructions to produce protein (which carry out different cellular processes).
Note: All cells have the same DNA but different proteins due to RNA.
What are Nucleic acids? Describe their composition in DNA Vs. RNA.
Nucleic acids are chemical compounds that carry genes in cells. Main examples are: DNA and RNA.
Differences:
- In DNA the 5-carbon sugar has no H, In RNA there is OH.
- The nitrogenous base in DNA contains T whereas in RNA will have Uracil instead of T
Describe the structure of nucleotides: DNA and RNA
Describe the structure of DNA
In what event does the DNA strand come apart? Briefly describe the nature of the process
During cell division- DNA comes apart and a special enzyme comes to make an identical copy of the strand which then gets passed onto a daughter cell.
What is a genome?
How does the genome (complete DNA of organism) fit into a cell nucleus?
It is packed into a chromosome (DNA is first wrapped around protein called histones = chromatin –> further wrapping will form chromosome which will have a telomere and centromere)
Whats a karotype?
A karyotype is an individual’s complete set of chromosomes.
Human set of chromosomes = 22 autosomal pairs (same between females and males) , X & Y (parent cells)
B
What is the central dogma?
Flow of genetic info during cell replication and growth : DNA -> RNA -> Protein
2 process:
1. Transcription: DNA -> RNA
2. Translation: RNA-> protein ( you can think of a change in language because RNA is not turning into another nucleotide, instead a completely diff structure- protein, thus 2nd stage remember translation)
Describe Transcription process
a) also note what RNA polymerase helps with this process
b) what base would be in the RNA sequence that is not in DNA sequence when copied?
Transcription= DNA -> RNA
a) mRNA
b) Instead of an A turning into a T, in RNA it would turn in to a U
In Translation, how does RNA turn into different amino acid components (protein)?
Via Genetic code. 4 different RNA bases are translated into 20 different amino acids via a specific code (1 codon= 3 RNA bases).
Which nucleotide mutates much more easily, RNA or DNA. Describe type of mutations
RNA (shorter and not as protected)
Silence: changes base but doesn’t change protein coded
Missense- can cause change that is noticeable, different amino acid produced
Nonsense= stops protein or change it so much that it does not function properly
Describe function of tRNA in translation
binds amino acid and mRNA together
Describe function of ribosomes in translation
location of where mRNA is translated into a protein
Summarise what we have learnt regarding DNA and RNA
