DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

These flashcards cover key concepts related to DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis as discussed in the lecture.

What is the chemical unit of information in most organisms?

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

What are the four nitrogen bases found in DNA?

Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), Thymine (T)

What are the components of a DNA nucleotide?

Phosphate groups, Sugar (deoxyribose), and Nitrogen bases.

What is the process called where DNA makes a copy of itself?

DNA replication.

What enzyme breaks the hydrogen bonds between DNA strands during replication?

Helicase.

What is the role of DNA polymerase during DNA replication?

Links free DNA nucleotides to exposed bases to create a new strand.

What does mRNA stand for and its function?

Messenger RNA; it carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

What is the difference between exons and introns?

Exons are coding segments of DNA, while introns are non-coding segments.

What are the two stages of protein synthesis?

Transcription and Translation.

What role do codons play in protein synthesis?

Each codon consists of three bases that code for a specific amino acid.

What is 'denaturation' in proteins?

The alteration of a protein's structure that affects its function.

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.

What factors affect enzyme activity?

Temperature, pH, concentration of substrates, and inhibitors.

What result can a mutation in DNA lead to?

Potentially harmful changes in protein structure and function.

What is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used for?

To amplify or make multiple copies of a specific DNA sequence.

What is gel electrophoresis and its purpose?

A technique used to separate DNA fragments based on size.

What does an electropherogram represent?

The sequence of DNA as visualized after sequencing.

What are short tandem repeats (STRs) used for in DNA profiling?

They generate unique DNA profiles for individuals.

What are ethical issues related to genetic information collection?

Privacy concerns, access to information, and the potential for misuse.