Biological Processes and Genetic Expressions

Flashcards covering glycolysis, aerobic respiration, DNA replication, transcription, translation, and gene expression regulation.

What is the primary purpose of glycolysis?

To break a 6-carbon glucose molecule into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules while capturing energy.

What is produced during glycolysis?

2 Pyruvate, 2 ATP (net), and 2 NADH.

What enzyme is regulated by ATP and AMP during glycolysis?

Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1).

What occurs to pyruvate in the presence of oxygen?

It is converted into Acetyl-CoA and enters the TCA cycle.

What is the fate of pyruvate when no oxygen is available?

It undergoes fermentation.

How many ATP can be generated per glucose molecule during aerobic respiration?

More than 30 ATP.

What role does oxygen play in the electron transport chain (ETC)?

O2 acts as the final electron acceptor and combines with electrons and protons to form water.

What is the method of DNA replication?

Semi-conservative replication, involving one old strand and one new strand.

Which key enzyme unwinds the DNA during replication?

Helicase.

What is the direction of RNA synthesis during transcription?

5' to 3' direction.

What is the start codon in mRNA?

AUG, which codes for methionine.

What are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation?

Prokaryotic regulation often involves operons, while eukaryotic regulation involves multiple levels such as chromatin structure and transcription.

What is the effect of histone acetylation on transcription?

It loosens chromatin and activates transcription.

What process converts RNA back to DNA in retroviruses?

Reverse transcription.

What are polyribosomes?

Structures formed when multiple ribosomes translate a single mRNA simultaneously.

What is alternative RNA splicing?

A process by which one gene can produce multiple proteins through varied splicing of the mRNA.