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Animal Biology > DNA, Mutations and Mitosis > Flashcards

DNA, Mutations and Mitosis Flashcards

(61 cards)

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1
Q

Describe the structure of a nucleotide

A

A nucleotide is made up of three molecules: a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar (deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base

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2
Q

Define DNA and its full name

A

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid

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3
Q

How are chromosomes structured in animal cells?

A

Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of the animal cell and contain strands of DNA, made up of a pair of chromatids held together at the centromere

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4
Q

What is the term for a cell with a complete set of paired chromosomes?

A

Diploid

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5
Q

What is the term for a cell with one strand of each set of paired chromosomes?

A

Haploid

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6
Q

Describe the difference in chromosome pairs among different species

A

Each species of animal has a different number of pairs of chromosomes; for example, humans have 23 pairs, dogs have 39 pairs, cats have 19 pairs, and mice have 20 pairs

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7
Q

How many chromosome pairs do humans have?

A

Humans have 23 chromosome pairs

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8
Q

How many chromosome pairs do dogs have?

A

Dogs have 39 chromosome pairs

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9
Q

How many chromosome pairs do cats have?

A

Cats have 19 chromosome pairs

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10
Q

How many chromosome pairs do mice have?

A

Mice have 20 chromosome pairs

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11
Q

Describe the importance of mitosis

A

Mitosis is important for cell division, allowing for growth, repair, and reproduction of cells

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12
Q

Evaluate different types of mutation

A

Mutations can be classified into several types, including point mutations, insertions, deletion, and duplications, each affecting genetic information in different ways

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13
Q

What is the function of DNA in living organisms?

A

DNA carries genetic information essential for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms

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14
Q

Describe the correct pairing of DNA bases

A

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine

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15
Q

Describe the structure of DNA

A

DNA is made of units called nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and four types of bases: Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Thymine

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16
Q

How do the bases pair in DNA?

A

Cytosine always binds with Guanine, and Thymine always binds with Adenine

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17
Q

Define a gene in the context of DNA

A

A gene is a hereditary unit of DNA that is a short section carrying the genetic code for a specific characteristic or cell activity

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18
Q

How is the DNA code read?

A

The DNA code is read in triplets known as codons, with each codon corresponding to one of the 20 amino acids used to make proteins

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19
Q

What is the role of amino acids in the body?

A

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which play important roles in the body

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20
Q

Describe the relationship between codons and amino acids

A

Each codon, which is a sequence of three nucleotides, relates to one of the 20 amino acids used to make up proteins

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21
Q

How does RNA differ from DNA?

A

RNA is single-stranded and contains uracil instead of thymine

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22
Q

What is the significance of the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA?

A

The sugar-phosphate backbone provides structural support for the DNA molecule, with bases attached to it

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23
Q

Explain the process of forming proteins from amino acids

A

Amino acids bind together to form long chains called polypeptide chains, which then fold to create large protein molecules

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24
Q

How is RNA related to DNA?

A

RNA is a single complementary strand of DNA that is synthesised during the process of reading the DNA code

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25
What is a polypeptide chain?
A polypeptide chain is a long chain of amino acids linked together, which can fold to form proteins
26
Describe the structure of nucleotides in DNA
Nucleotides in DNA consist of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and one of four bases: Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, or Thymine
27
How many different amino acids are there?
There are 20 different amino acids that can combine to form proteins
28
What is the function of the double helix structure of DNA?
The double helix structure of DNA allows for the stable storage of genetic information and facilitates the pairing of bases
29
What is the role of codons in protein synthesis?
Codons are sequences of three nucleotides that specify which amino acid will be added during protein synthesis
30
How is RNA code structured?
The RNA code is structured as a triplet code, where every three bases on the RNA strand code for one amino acid
31
Describe how amino acids are linked to proteins
Amino acids are linked to a corresponding base triplet, where the matching code of the correct amino acid pairs with the triplet on the RNA, and the attached amino acid binds with its neighbour to form a protein chain
32
Define the role of genes in protein synthesis
The sequence of bases in a gene codes for the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, which ultimately makes up proteins
33
How do proteins vary in the living world?
Proteins have a huge range of structures and functions in the living world, all made of chains of amino acids
34
Explain what a genetic mutation is
A genetic mutation is a change or alteration in the sequence of bases on a strand of DNA
35
How can mutations occur?
Mutations can occur due to exposure to ultra-violet light, certain chemicals, chemicals produced when smoking, or spontaneously
36
List the types of mutations that can occur
Types of mutations include chromosome mutations (duplication, deleting, inversion, translocation, nondisjunction) and gene mutations (point mutation, substitutions, insertion, deletion, frameshift)
37
How common are genetic mutations in human cells?
About 1 in every 1 billion base pairs contains a mutation, and each of your cells will contain approximately 6 genetic mutations
38
Describe the impact of chromosomal changes on development
Chromosomal changes can have a huge impact on the development of an organism
39
What happens during a substitution mutation?
In a substitution mutation, a single nucleotide is swapped for another, which can change the codon and potentially affect the amino acid coded for
40
How does a substitution mutation affect protein function?
If the new amino acid is significantly different from the intended one, the protein may not be functional
41
Describe a STOP codon substitution
A STOP codon substitution replaces an amino acid codon, potentially terminating protein synthesis prematurely
42
Define substitution mutation
A substitution mutation is a genetic alteration where one base pair in the DNA sequence is replaced by another, which may or may not affect the resulting protein
43
How does a substitution mutation affect protein synthesis?
A substitution mutation may have little effect if it results in a chemically similar amino acid or if it codes for the same amino acid, but it can also change the protein's function if it alters a critical amino acid
44
Explain the impact of insertion mutations
Insertion mutations add a base into the DNA sequence, causing a frameshift that alters the reading frame and affects all subsequent amino acid codons, often leading to significant changes in the protein
45
What happens to the DNA during an insertion mutation?
During an insertion mutation, an additional base is added to the DNA sequence, which shifts the triplet frames and alters the codons
46
Define a neutral or silent mutation
A neutral or silent mutation is a genetic change that does not affect the amino acid sequence of a protein, resulting in no change to its function
46
How do point mutations differ in their effects?
Point mutations can have varying effects; substitution mutations typically have the least impact, while insertion and deletion mutations can cause frameshifts and significantly alter the protein
47
What is osteogenesis imperfecta?
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder caused by mutations that lead to brittle bones, increasing the risk of injury and slowing healing
48
Explain the significance of frameshift mutations
Frameshift mutations, caused by insertions or deletions, shift the reading frame of the genetic code, affecting multiple amino acids and potentially altering the entire protein structure
49
How can a substitution mutation be beneficial?
A substitution mutation can be beneficial if it results in a protein that has improved function or provides an advantage in a specific environment
50
Describe the potential outcomes of substitution mutation
The outcomes of a substitution mutation can range from no effect (if the same amino acid is coded) to significant changes in protein function, depending on the nature of the amino acid change
51
How does a frameshift mutation affect the protein produced?
A frameshift mutation alters the entire downstream amino acid sequence, often resulting in a non functional protein or a protein with a drastically different function
52
Describe the importance of mitosis in the animal body
Mitosis is essential for producing cells for growth and repair
53
Define the products of mitosis
Mitosis produces exact genetic copies of the cell, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells that are also identical to the parent cell
54
How does interphase contribute to the cell cycle?
During interphase, chromosomes duplicate in preparation for cell division
55
Explain what occurs during prophase
In prophase, chromosomes condense and become visible, and the spindle is formed in the cytoplasm by the centrioles
56
What happens during metaphase?
During metaphase, chromosomes align along the equatorial plate (middle) of the spindle
57
Describe the process of anaphase
In anaphase, chromosomes are pulled to opposite sides, forming two genetically identical groups
58
How does telophase conclude the cell division process?
In telophase, the nuclear membrane forms around the chromosomes, and the cells splits into two daughter cells
59
Explain the significance of meiosis in the animal body
Meiosis is essential for producing sex cells (sperm and eggs)
60
What is the genetic composition of each daughter cell produced by mitosis?
Each daughter cell is diploid, meaning it has two complete sets of chromosomes

Animal Biology (24 decks)

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