Biochemistry and Biomaterials for Bioengineers - Lecture 2

This set of flashcards covers essential concepts, processes, and structures discussed in Lecture 2 of Biochemistry and Biomaterials for Bioengineers, including nucleic acids, protein synthesis, and genetic information flow.

What are the key concepts covered in this lecture?

Biological molecules, enzymatic catalysis, roles in health and disease, analytical methods, engineered biomaterials, biotechnology, and their applications.

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

DNA -> RNA -> Protein, indicating the flow of genetic information.

What process synthesizes RNA from DNA?

Transcription.

What enzyme is responsible for transcription?

RNA Polymerase.

What is Chargaff’s Rule?

In DNA, the amount of adenine equals thymine (A=T) and the amount of guanine equals cytosine (G=C).

What is the structure of DNA?

DNA is a double helix made of two complementary strands running in opposite directions.

What is the function of tRNA in translation?

tRNA carries specific amino acids to the ribosome, matching its anticodon to the mRNA codon.

Define semi-conservative replication.

Each new DNA molecule consists of one parent strand and one newly synthesized strand.

What are Okazaki fragments?

Short sequences of DNA created on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

What bases pair together in DNA?

Adenine pairs with Thymine, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.

What is the role of spliceosomes in gene expression?

Spliceosomes remove introns from pre-mRNA, allowing for the formation of mature mRNA.

What codon is known as the start codon in mRNA?

AUG codes for methionine and signals the start of translation.

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid).

How do the leading and lagging strands differ during DNA replication?

The leading strand is synthesized continuously towards the fork, while the lagging strand is synthesized in smaller fragments away from the fork.

What is an amino acid?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, with 20 different types used to form various proteins.