DNA and Protein Synthesis

What kind of molecule is DNA? What is the monomer form?

Nucleic acid, nucleotide

Why are hydrogen bonds so important?

They are strong enough to hold DNA, but weak enough to be broken during protein synthesis and replication.

When does protein synthesis occur? When does DNA replication occur?

Interphase, S-phase

What codon is always the start codon in mRNA?

AUG

Every codon has an amino acid except for…

The stop codon.

What kind of molecule are histones?

Proteins

What are nucleosomes?

The wraps of DNA around histone.

What is chromatin?

Unpackaged DNA (made of histones and DNA)

What is epigenetics?

• Molecules can be added/taken off different parts of the DNA during a person’s life which can influence which genes get expressed (used/activated)

• Sometimes, these molecules can be passed down to future generations

• These genes themselves are not mutated or changed

What do methyl groups do?

Keep transcription from happening by attaching to the DNA.

What does histone acetylation do?

Histone acetylation attaches onto the histones and causes the DNA to loosen around the histone, allowing for transcription factors to access the DNA.

What kind of molecules are enzymes?

Proteins

Which cells do mutations affect?

Every cell that develops from the cell with the mutation.