Introduction to the World of Microbes - Genetics, Part 1A

These flashcards cover key concepts about DNA, its replication, and the experiments that helped establish its role as the genetic material.

What molecule carries genetic information in cells?

DNA carries genetic information.

Who conducted the 1928 experiments that suggested DNA might be the genetic material?

Fred Griffith.

What are the two forms of Streptococcus pneumoniae identified by Griffith?

Encapsulated (virulent) and nonencapsulated (avirulent).

What did Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty discover about the transforming agent?

They identified DNA as the transforming agent responsible for genetic transformation.

What are Chargaff's Rules?

The amount of adenine equals thymine and the amount of cytosine equals guanine in DNA.

What did Hershey and Chase use to identify DNA as the genetic material?

They used T2 bacteriophage and radioactive labeling.

What is the functional unit of the genome?

A gene is the functional unit of the genome.

What is the process of synthesizing RNA from DNA called?

Transcription.

What is the difference between the leading and lagging strands during DNA replication?

The leading strand is synthesized continuously, while the lagging strand is synthesized discontinuously.

What factors influence cell cycle control in E. coli?

Cell mass and cell length.

What is the error frequency for DNA replication in E. coli?

Approximately 1 error per 10 billion base pairs replicated.