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Nucleic Acid Flashcards

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1
Q

Q1: Who discovered nucleic acids, and when?

A

A1: Friedrich Miescher in 1869.

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2
Q

What are the two main types of nucleic acids and their functions?

A
  • DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): Stores and transfers genetic information during cell division.
  • RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): Synthesizes proteins.
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3
Q

What is the human genome, and how many genes does it contain?

A

The total DNA in a human, containing ~20,000–25,000 genes.

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4
Q

What are the components of a nucleotide?

A

A pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

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5
Q

What are the differences between purines and pyrimidines?

A
  • Purines: Double-ring bases (Adenine, Guanine).
  • Pyrimidines: Single-ring bases (Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil).
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6
Q

How are nucleotides linked in a polynucleotide chain?

A

By 3’,5’-phosphodiester bonds.

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7
Q

What is the structure of DNA?

A

A double-stranded helix with complementary and antiparallel strands.

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8
Q

What base pairs are found in DNA, and how are they bonded?

A
  • Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T) via 2 hydrogen bonds.
  • Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C) via 3 hydrogen bonds.
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9
Q

What does antiparallel mean in DNA?

A

DNA strands run in opposite directions: one 5’ to 3’ and the other 3’ to 5’.

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10
Q

What is DNA replication, and what type of process is it?

A

The process of producing identical copies of DNA; it is semiconservative.

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11
Q

What is the role of helicase in DNA replication?

A

Unwinds the DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds.

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12
Q

What are Okazaki fragments, and where are they found?

A

Short DNA segments synthesized on the lagging strand.

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13
Q

How is supercoiling relieved during replication?

A

By the enzyme topoisomerase.

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14
Q

How does RNA differ from DNA?

A
  • RNA is single-stranded; DNA is double-stranded.
  • RNA contains ribose sugar; DNA contains deoxyribose.
  • RNA uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).
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15
Q

What are the main types of RNA and their functions?

A
  • mRNA: Carries genetic instructions from DNA.
  • rRNA: Forms ribosomes for protein synthesis.
  • tRNA: Delivers amino acids to the ribosome.
  • snRNA: Assists in RNA splicing.
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16
Q

What is transcription?

A

The process where DNA is transcribed into RNA by RNA polymerase.

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17
Q

What is the role of a promoter region in transcription?

A

Signals where RNA polymerase should start transcription.

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18
Q

What are the steps of post-transcriptional modifications?

A
  1. Adding a 5’ cap.
  2. Adding a 3’ poly(A) tail.
  3. Removing introns through splicing.
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19
Q

What is translation?

A

The process where mRNA is decoded into a protein sequence.

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20
Q

What is a start codon, and which one is used?

A

The codon that initiates translation; AUG (methionine).

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21
Q

What are the steps of translation?

A
  1. Activation: Amino acids attach to tRNA.
  2. Initiation: Ribosome assembles on mRNA at the start codon.
  3. Elongation: Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds.
  4. Termination: Translation stops at a stop codon.
  5. Post-translation: Proteins are folded and modified.
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22
Q

What is a polysome?

A

A complex of multiple ribosomes translating a single mRNA simultaneously.

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23
Q

What is a mutation?

A

A change in the DNA sequence.

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24
Q

What are point mutations?

A

Single nucleotide changes, including transitions (purine ↔ purine, pyrimidine ↔ pyrimidine) and transversions (purine ↔ pyrimidine).

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25
What is a frameshift mutation?
A mutation caused by insertion or deletion of nucleotides that alters the reading frame.
26
What are mutagens?
Agents that cause mutations, such as UV light, alkylating agents, or intercalating chemicals.
27
What is recombinant DNA?
DNA formed by combining genetic material from two organisms.
28
What are the steps of recombinant DNA production?
1. Plasmid isolation. 2. DNA cutting using restriction enzymes. 3. Insertion of desired gene using ligase. 4. Transformation of bacteria with recombinant DNA.
29
What is PCR, and why is it used?
Polymerase chain reaction; amplifies DNA sequences exponentially in a short time.
30
What are the steps of PCR?
1. Denaturation: DNA strands separate at high temperature. 2. Annealing: Primers bind to target sequences. 3. Extension: DNA polymerase synthesizes new strands.
31
Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information, including DNA and RNA.
Nucleic Acids
32
The complete set of DNA in an organism.
Genome
33
A DNA segment that codes for a specific protein.
Gene
34
The flow of genetic information: DNA → RNA → Protein.
Central Dogma
35
a double-stranded molecule storing genetic information.
DNA
36
The rule that %A = %T and %G = %C in DNA.
Chargaff’s Rule
37
Short DNA fragments synthesized on the lagging strand during replication.
Okazaki Fragments
38
DNA strands running in opposite 5' to 3' directions.
Antiparallel
39
a single-stranded molecule involved in protein synthesis.
RNA
40
A type of RNA that carries genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes.
mRNA
41
A type of RNA that forms ribosomes, the site of protein synthesis.
rRNA
42
A type of RNA that transfers amino acids to the ribosome during translation.
tRNA
43
A precursor RNA formed directly from DNA transcription.
hnRNA
44
RNA that assists in splicing hnRNA to form mRNA.
snRNA
45
consisting of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Nucleotide
46
Double-ring nitrogenous bases (Adenine, Guanine).
Purines
47
Single-ring nitrogenous bases (Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil).
Pyrimidines
48
A bond linking nucleotides in a polynucleotide chain.
Phosphodiester Bond
49
The process where DNA is transcribed into RNA.
Transcription
50
A triplet of nucleotides on mRNA coding for amino acids.
Codon
51
A triplet sequence on tRNA that pairs with an mRNA codon.
Anticodon
52
A process where mRNA is decoded into a protein sequence.
Translation
53
A complex of multiple ribosomes translating a single mRNA simultaneously.
Polysome
54
A change in the DNA sequence.
Mutation
55
Substitution of one nucleotide for another.
Point Mutation
56
Insertion or deletion of nucleotides that alters the reading frame.
Frameshift Mutation
57
Agents that cause mutations, such as UV light, alkylating agents, or intercalating chemicals.
Mutagens
58
A mutation where purines or pyrimidines are substituted for one another (e.g., A ↔ G, C ↔ T).
Transition
59
A mutation where purines are substituted with pyrimidines or vice versa (e.g., A ↔ T).
Transversion
60
DNA formed by combining genetic material from two organisms.
Recombinant DNA
61
Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.
Restriction Enzymes
62
A technique to amplify DNA sequences exponentially in a short time.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
63
A step in PCR where DNA strands separate at high temperatures.
Denaturation
64
A step in PCR where primers bind to target DNA sequences.
Annealing
65
A step in PCR where DNA polymerase synthesizes new strands.
Extension

Nucleic Acids (1 decks)

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