Biology DNA Flashcards
How do chromosomes, genes, and DNA work together?
Chromosomes hold DNA in the form of genes. Genes are located in chromosomes where the genes hold DNA.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What is the shape of a DNA molecule?
The shape of a DNA molecule is a double helix
What is the function of DNA?
DNA holds the blueprints to build an organism. The DNA provides traits and characteristics for an organism.
What is a nucleotide? What parts are found in a nucleotide?
A nucleotide is the building block of DNA. A nucleotide is made out of sugar (Deoxyribose), phosphate, and a nitrogen base.
What is the sugar found in DNA?
The sugar found in DNA is deoxyribose
What is the backbone of a DNA molecule?
Sugar (Deoxyribose) and phosphate make up the backbone of DNA
What are the nitrogen bases found in DNA?
There are 4 nitrogen bases in DNA. Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine.
What are purines and pyrimidines? What are the pairings that occur?
The purines are adenine and guanine. The pyrimidines are thymine and cytosine. Purines are larger than pyrimidines as they have two rings as opposed to one. Adenine pairs to thymine and guanine pairs to cytosine.
What are the characteristics of a mutation?
- Mutations occur spontaneously.
- They can be positive, neutral or negative.
- Some mutations that do not get fixed lead to cancer.
- Mutations are hereditary (Passed down from parents to child)
- Mutations are caused by mutagens
How do mutagens and carcinogens affect DNA?
A mutagen is an agent that can alter DNA.
A carcinogen is an agent that can cause cancer. It can damage your DNA.
What are the 3 types of mutagens? List examples for each.
The 3 types of mutagens are chemical, radiation, and viral mutagens.
Chemical Mutagen:
Smoking, pesticides
Radiation Mutagen:
UV rays, gamma rays
Viral Mutagen:
Zika Virus
What are the 2 types of mutations?
The 2 types of mutation are chromosomal and germinal mutations.
What is a chromosomal mutation? Describe the types.
A chromosomal mutation is a mutation that affects multiple genes in a chromosome. There are 3 types of chromosomal mutation, deletion, duplication, and inversion.
Deletion:
Where a part of a gene is lost
Duplication:
Where there is an extra copy of a gene
Inversion:
Where a gene is broken off and re-attached backwards
What is a germinal mutation?
A germinal mutation is a mutation that occurs after birth. Germinal mutation can cause cancer. Typically, everyone carries a gene called an oncogene. This gene can cause cancer. If this oncogene becomes activated by a mutagen, then it can lead to cancer.
