DNA, RNA & Protein Synthesis Study Guide

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis for an honors biology study guide.

What does DNA stand for?

Deoxyribonucleic acid.

What is a nucleotide and its three parts?

A nucleotide is a part of DNA consisting of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

How many nitrogenous bases are there for DNA? Name them.

There are four nitrogenous bases in DNA: Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, Cytosine.

What parts of the nucleotide make up the uprights of the DNA molecule?

Phosphates and sugars.

What parts make up the rungs of the ladder in DNA?

The nitrogenous bases.

What is the function of DNA Helicase?

Unwinds and splits the DNA.

What does Primase do during DNA replication?

Creates mRNA.

What is the function of DNA polymerase?

Matches up free-floating nucleotides with the complementary base on the parent strand.

During which phase of a cell's life cycle does DNA replication take place?

In the S phase of Interphase.

What are the main differences between DNA and RNA?

DNA is double-stranded with deoxyribose sugar and bases A, T, G, C; RNA is single-stranded with ribose sugar and bases A, U, G, C.

What are purines and pyrimidines in DNA?

Purines are the larger bases (A, G) and pyrimidines are the smaller bases (T, C).

How many hydrogen bonds exist between adenines and thymines? Between guanines and cytosines?

2 hydrogen bonds for adenine and thymine; 3 hydrogen bonds for guanine and cytosine.

What is the Central Dogma of Biology?

DNA works with RNA to make proteins.

Name and explain the three steps of protein synthesis.

1) mRNA codon; 2) tRNA anticodon; 3) Amino Acid chain.

What is another name for a 3-base segment of mRNA?

mRNA codon.

What is another name for a 3-base segment of tRNA?

tRNA anticodon.

What is a gene mutation?

A small-scale mutation, such as frameshift or point mutation.

What is a chromosome mutation?

A large-scale mutation, such as deletion or translocation.

What does Prokaryotic Gene Regulation involve?

Regulating gene by controlling transcription, typically through operons.

What does Eukaryotic Gene Regulation involve?

Using a TATA box normally found in front of a gene to act as a landing strip for protein.

Chargaff

A biochemist who is best known for formulating Chargaff's rules, which state that in DNA, the amount of adenine equals thymine and the amount of guanine equals cytosine.

Franklin

known for work in X-ray diffraction, particularly the famous photo 51, which was critical in understanding the double helix structure of DNA

Wilkins

Known for work in X-ray diffraction and for collaborating with Rosalind Franklin in the study of DNA structure

Watson

Known for co-discovering the structure of DNA along with Francis Crick, playing a crucial role in formulating the double helix model and used photo 51 w/o permission.

Crick

Known for co-discovering the structure of DNA along with James Watson, playing a crucial role in formulating the double helix model and used photo 51 w/o permission