DNA test

What does DNA stand for?

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Who discovered DNA in 1869?

Friedrich Miescher

What was discovered by Oswald Avery in 1944 regarding DNA?

DNA is the chemical responsible for passing on information.

Who discovered the structure of DNA in 1953?

James Watson and Francis Crick

Which scientist's work contributed significantly to the discovery of DNA's structure?

Rosalind Franklin

What shape is DNA described as?

A double helix (twisted staircase)

What is the role of DNA in organisms?

It serves as the blueprint for designing an organism.

What category of macromolecule does DNA belong to?

Nucleic acid

What are the building blocks of DNA called?

Nucleotides

What are the three components of a nucleotide?

Phosphate, deoxyribose (5-sided sugar), and nitrogenous base

What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA?

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine

What are Adenine and Guanine classified as?

Purines

What are Cytosine and Thymine classified as?

Pyrimidines

What is Chargaff's Rule?

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

What type of bonds connect the nitrogenous bases in DNA?

Hydrogen bonds

During which phase does DNA replication occur?

Interphase

What enzyme unzips the DNA during replication?

Helicase

What is the role of DNA Polymerase in replication?

It pairs free-floating nucleotides with the unzipped templates.

What are the two strands of DNA during replication called?

Leading strand and lagging strand

Which strand builds towards the replication fork?

Leading strand

What are the segments called that are formed on the lagging strand?

Okazaki Fragments

What is the result of DNA replication?

Two identical DNA molecules are created.

What is the role of DNA in protein synthesis?

DNA serves as a code or blueprint for making proteins.

What is a gene?

A sequence of bases on DNA that codes for a protein.

What determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein?

The sequence of bases in the DNA.

What are the two main phases of protein synthesis?

Transcription and Translation.

Where does transcription occur?

Inside the nucleus.

What enzyme is responsible for transcription?

RNA Polymerase.

What is mRNA?

Messenger RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

What happens to DNA during transcription?

A region of the DNA unwinds and is unzipped.

What is the function of tRNA in translation?

tRNA matches its anticodons with codons on mRNA and brings the correct amino acids.

What is a codon?

A sequence of three bases on mRNA that codes for an amino acid.

What is the start codon for protein synthesis?

AUG, which codes for methionine.

What are the stop codons?

UAA, UAG, and UGA, which signal the ribosome to stop protein synthesis.

What is the structure of RNA compared to DNA?

RNA is single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded.

What sugar is found in RNA?

Ribose.

What are the three types of RNA involved in protein synthesis?

mRNA (messenger RNA), tRNA (transfer RNA), and rRNA (ribosomal RNA).

How many possible codon combinations exist?

64 possible codon combinations.

Why do some amino acids have more than one codon?

Because there are only 20 amino acids but 64 codon combinations.

What is the role of the ribosome in protein synthesis?

The ribosome reads mRNA and assembles amino acids into a protein.

What happens to mRNA after transcription?

It leaves the nucleus through nuclear pores and binds to a ribosome.

What are mutations?

Changes in the DNA sequence that affect genetic information.

What are gene mutations?

Mutations that affect a single gene.

What are chromosomal mutations?

Mutations that affect an entire chromosome.

What is addition (or insertion) in mutations?

When a base or bases are added or inserted into the DNA sequence.

What is deletion in mutations?

When a base or bases are deleted or removed from the DNA sequence.

What is substitution in mutations?

When a base or bases are changed in the DNA sequence.

What is a point mutation?

A mutation where a single letter in the DNA sequence is changed.

What is a frameshift mutation?

A mutation that causes a 'ripple effect' or shift in the way the protein is read.

What can cause mutations?

Exposure to certain chemicals, radiation, or random chance.

What is a mutagen?

Any compound that causes a mutation.

Why might a mutation not result in a change of amino acids?

Because most amino acids have more than one codon.

What is the process called that creates copies of DNA?

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

What device is used in the PCR process?

Thermalcycler

What enzyme is used in PCR that can withstand high temperatures?

Taq polymerase

What is the purpose of DNA primers in PCR?

To initiate the DNA copying process

What is gene editing?

Modifying or replacing an existing gene

What type of enzyme is used to remove genes during gene editing?

Restriction enzyme

What does CRISPR stand for?

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats

What is recombinant DNA technology?

Combining genes from different organisms

What are genetically modified organisms also known as?

Transgenic organisms

What was the first mammal cloned in 1997?

Dolly the sheep

What process is used to create a clone from a single cell?

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

What is a clone?

A genetically identical cell produced from a single cell

What is a major concern regarding cloning?

Human cloning

What are some potential benefits of cloning?

Preserving endangered species, improving agriculture, advancing medical technology

What is the role of electric shock in the cloning process?

To stimulate the cell to begin dividing

What is the significance of the nucleus in the cloning process?

It is removed from the egg cell before fusion with the donor cell

What is the primary challenge in cloning multicellular organisms?

The process has not been perfected and has a high failure rate

What is one example of a genetically modified crop?

Rice that produces vitamin A

What is the purpose of cloning organs?

To advance medical technology and potentially provide transplant options

What type of bacteria is Taq polymerase derived from?

Thermophilic bacteria

What was the outcome of the cloning trials that produced Dolly?

Dolly was the only one out of 277 trials to survive

What is biotechnology?

A broad term involving various technologies, including DNA analysis and manipulation.

What is DNA extraction?

The process of removing DNA from a cell, often using a mild detergent to rupture the cell.

What are restriction enzymes?

Specific chemicals that cut DNA at predetermined locations.

What does the restriction enzyme EcoRI recognize?

The sequence GAATTC in DNA.

What is gel electrophoresis?

A process used to separate and analyze DNA fragments based on size.

How do smaller DNA fragments behave in gel electrophoresis?

They travel faster and further than larger fragments.

What is a DNA fingerprint?

A unique pattern produced by analyzing an individual's DNA.

What is the purpose of cutting DNA into manageable lengths?

To facilitate analysis and manipulation of the DNA.

What is the role of detergents in DNA extraction?

To rupture the cell membrane and release the DNA.

What is the significance of DNA patterns in forensics?

They can be used to match DNA samples to individuals.

What happens to DNA during the extraction process?

It is removed from the cell and may be cut into smaller fragments.

What is the first step in studying DNA?

DNA must be extracted from a cell.

What type of cells are used for DNA extraction?

Nucleated cells, which contain a nucleus.

What is the outcome of gel electrophoresis?

It produces a pattern that can be analyzed for DNA identification.

Why are scissors not used to cut DNA?

Restriction enzymes are used instead to cut DNA at specific sequences.

What is the relationship between DNA length and extraction?

Human DNA can extend to 6 feet, necessitating cutting into shorter lengths for analysis.

What is the chemical treatment used in DNA extraction?

A mild detergent that helps to rupture the cell.

What does each individual's DNA produce?

A unique pattern, or DNA fingerprint, that can be used for identification.

What is the purpose of analyzing DNA patterns in forensic investigations?

To match DNA from crime scenes to potential suspects.

What is the process of separating DNA fragments called?

Gel electrophoresis.