Extraction and purification of DNA
A gene is…
a section of a chromosome that codes for a specific protein from a sequence of amino acid.
What does degenerate code mean?
there is more than one codon for each amino acid. ie. CCC and CCG both code for the same amino acid
What does non-overlapping code mean?
means that the same letter is not used for two different codons
What is meant by universal code?
the codes for amino acids are the same in all organism
Explain why DNA replication is considered to be semi-conservative.
Why is complementary base pairing important.
Compare DNA replication and transcription
Describe the process of DNA replication (semi-conservative)
Name the stages of mitosis
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis
Prophase
Chromosomes condense, centrioles move to opposite ends of cells and nuclear envelope breaks down.
how does genetic variation occur in meiosis
Independent assortment - different combos of alleles is a random alignment of chromosomes on the equator. Crossing Over - In prophase, chromatids twist around each other and parts of the swap over.
Metaphase
Chromosomes aligned at the equator, chromosomes attached to the spindle via centromere
Anaphase
centromeres divide, sister chromatids pulled to opposite poles by spindle fibres
Describe each stage in the cell cycle
G1 phase - cells grows, new organelles and proteins are made. G1 checkpoint - cell checks for any damage to DNA before entering S - phase. S phase - cells replicate its DNA ready to divide by mitosis. G2 phase - cells keep growing and proteins need for cell division. G2 checkpoint - cell checks whether DNA has been replicated without any damage, so the cell can enter mitosis. Metaphase checkpoint - check assembly of spindle fibres and chromosomes attach correctly.
Telophase
chromatids reach opposite poles and nuclear membranes reform, there are now two nuclei.
Cytokinesis
cytoplasm divides to form two daughter cells that are genetically identical.
Transcription
Translation
What does mitosis produce
diploid (body cell). 2 genetically identical daughter cells.
what does meiosis produce
haploid (contains half the number of chromosomes of normal body cell) ie gametes. 4 genetically different daughter cells
Difference between mitosis and meosis.
Mitosis has 1 division, form 2 daughter cells, DC contain 2n of chromosomes, they are identical. occurs in eukaryotic cells. Meiosis had 2 divisions, 4 different DC cells are formed. Homologous chromosomes pair up and bivalents form as well as crossing over and independent assortment. Dc has n, half of original no of the chromosome, occurs in gametes.
what is a bivalent
pair of homologous chromosomes
totipotent
unspecialised and able to divide to give rise to any kid of body cell (include zygote and early embryo)