Structure of RNA Flashcards
Why does DNA need to be converted into mRNA?
- proteins synthesised in the cytoplasm,
- DNA has to be converted into mRNA
- can leave the nucleus, through nuclear pores and enter the cytoplasm
What is a codon?
A set of three bases that code for one amino acid, on mRNA
What is meant by the term ‘genome’?
The complete set of genetic material that makes up a cell
What is meant by the term ‘proteome’?
The full range of proteins that a cell is able to produce
What is RNA?
A single-stranded polymer made up of nucleotides, joined together by phosphodiester bonds
What makes up each RNA nucleotide?
- ribose sugar
- a base (A,U,G,C)
- a phosphate group
How is the structure of mRNA suited for it’s function?
it contains codons -> which are 3 bases complementary a triplet in the DNA
What process forms mRNA?
Transcription
Give two structural differences between a molecule mRNA and a molecule of tRNA
- mRNA has more nucleotides/is longer
- mRNA is linear, tRNA is cloverleaf
- mRNA does not have an amino acid binding site, tRNA does;
- mRNA has codons, tRNA has an anticodon
- mRNAs have different lengths, all tRNAs are similar/same length
What is the difference between a codon and an anticodon?
A codon is the triplet of bases on mRNA that codes for an amino acid, an anticodon is a triplet of bases on tRNA that is complementary to a codon
What is mRNA?
A single stranded copy of a gene
What is tRNA?
a clover shaped strand of RNA that is responsible for carrying amino acids needed to make proteins to the ribosome.
