Cellular Replication Flashcards
Describe the structure of DNA
- Base pairs
- Phosphate
- Deoxyribose
- Double stranded
State the function of DNA
- Provides instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce
Describe the structure of RNA
-Bases
-Phosphate
-Ribose sugar
-Single stranded
State the function of RNA
Protein synthesis
State the three RNA types
Messenger RNA
Transfer RNA
Ribosomal RNA
Why are DNA and RNA described as polymers?
They are made from repeating monomer units known as nucleotides to make polynucleotide chains.
What are the 3 different units nucleotides are made from?
Phosphate group
Pentose sugar
Nitrogenous base
What are the differences between RNA and DNA
RNA has the nucleobase uracil while DNA contains thymine
RNA contains ribose sugars whereas DNA contains deoxyribose
DNA is double stranded
Which bond joins nucleotides in both DNA and RNA?
Phosphodiester bond
What is meant by the primary structure?
The linear sequence of nucleotides
What is meant by the secondary structure?
The base-pairing of complementary nucleotides gives the secondary structure of a nucleic acid - DNA forms a double helix
How many hydrogen bonds between A and T?
2
How many hydrogen bonds between G and C?
3
What are chromosomes?
- Thread like structures located inside the nucleus of animals and plant cells.
- They are passed from parents to offspring
How many chromosomes in the human body?
46 which are arranged into 23 pairs
What are chromosomes made of?
A protein and a single molecule of DNA
What does each section of a chromosome contain?
The code for the production of a particular protein called a gene.
What is a gene?
A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity
Genes act as instructions to make proteins.
Describe the function of DNA Helicase.
They separate double stranded DNA into single strands allowing each strand to be copied
Requires energy ATP
Describe the function of DNA polymerase
They add nucleotide triphosphate to a growing DNA strand in the 5’ to 3’ direction
Describe the initiation stage of transcription.
- Transcription start site
- Promoter - directs RNA polymerase to the site
- Transcription factors - promote RNA polymerase to start the process
What stage comes after initiation in transcription?
Elongation
Describe the termination stage of transcription.
Transcribing RNA polymerase releases the DNA template and the nascent RNA
What are the major components of translation?
- Ribosomes
- tRNA molecules - amino acids
- mRNA molecules
- Peptidyl transferase - enzyme