DNA Structure and Function

Flashcards covering key concepts of DNA structure, function, and the processes involved in transcription and translation.

What are Chargaff's rules regarding DNA nucleotide ratios?

For any given organism, the ratios of nucleotides (A:T and G:C) remain constant across tissues and are not affected by nutrition, age, or environment.

What is the primary structure of DNA?

The primary structure of DNA refers to the sequence of nucleotides.

What does the secondary structure of DNA consist of?

The secondary structure of DNA is a stable motif into which nucleotides are packed.

What is the tertiary structure of DNA?

The tertiary structure of DNA refers to the overall 3D structure of DNA packed with proteins.

How do nucleobases in DNA pair?

Nucleobases pair through hydrogen bonds: 3 bonds in G-C pairs and 2 bonds in A-T pairs.

What defines a palindromic sequence in DNA?

A palindromic sequence is a word or sequence that can be read the same in both directions.

What is the function of RNA?

RNA serves as the carrier of genetic information and is involved in protein synthesis.

What is the difference between monocistronic and polycistronic mRNA?

Monocistronic mRNA encodes for a single protein, while polycistronic mRNA encodes for multiple proteins.

What are exons and introns?

Exons are coding sequences in DNA, while introns are noncoding sequences that must be removed before translation.

What is transcription?

Transcription is the process of transferring genetic information from DNA to RNA.

What is the role of RNA polymerase during transcription?

RNA polymerase uses the antisense strand as a template to synthesize mRNA.

What factors can cause DNA denaturation?

Factors include temperature, pH, and ionic strength of the solution.

What is melting temperature in the context of DNA?

Melting temperature is the temperature at which DNA denaturation is halfway completed.

What are the effects of GC pairs on the melting temperature of DNA?

The more GC pairs that are present, the higher the melting temperature.

What is the process of splicing in mRNA?

Splicing is the process of removing introns from mRNA before translation.

What is the significance of deamination in DNA?

Deamination involves the removal of an amino group and can lead to mutations if not repaired.

What is the difference between the sense and antisense strands of DNA?

The sense strand is the coding strand that encodes proteins, while the antisense strand is used as a template for mRNA synthesis.

What types of RNA are there and their roles?

mRNA carries genetic information from DNA, tRNA transports amino acids to the ribosome, and rRNA is a component of ribosomes.

What is an anticodon in tRNA?

An anticodon is a sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that recognizes a corresponding codon in mRNA.

What natural agent is involved in methylation processes of DNA?

Adenosyl methionine is a natural methylating agent.