Chapter 3 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What charge does DNA have? why is this?
Slightly negative phosphate backbone.
What are the building blocks of DNA?
Nucleotides.
What is a gene?
Genetic information, it is the unit of heredity that effects trans of an organism.
Why were proteins once considered the molecule that transmits information?
Because they carried out most essential cell functions they were assumed to be the key to heredity.
What is transformation?
The conversion of cells from one state to another (virulent to non-virulent) when DNA released into the environment is taken up by recipient cells.
What was the experiment that identified DNA as an information passing molecule?
DNA, RNA and protein were extracted from a virulent sample and enzymes were added that each destroyed DNA, RNA and protein. Only the extracts without DNA were able to reman nonvirulent indicating DNA as the culprit.
What are RNase, Protease, and DNase? and what do they do?
They are enzymes (ase) and they break down RNA, Protein and DNA respectively.
What is replication?
The process of copying DNA.
What is a mutation and what is it caused by?
Occurs during DNA replication and is a change in the genetic information.
What is the central dogma? Are there any exceptions?
The flow of information from DNA to RNA. Yes for example (HIV)
What is transcription?
The first process in the central dogma and gene expression. Where the genetic info in DNA is used as a template to create RNA.
What is Translation?
The second process in the central dogma. Where a molecule of RNA is used as a code for a sequence of amino acids in protein.
Are genes always expressed?
No they can be turned on or off.
What is a phosphodiester bond?
A bond formed when a phosphate group of a nucleotide is bonded to a sugar unit in another nucleotide.
What direction is an RNA synthesized in?
5’—->3’
What is the initial product of transcription?
Primary transcript.
What complex of protein and RNA carries out splicing?
Splicosome
What do Transcriptional activator proteins bind to?
an Enchancer.
What do Transcriptional activator proteins bind to?
an Enhancer
