Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

How is DNA stored differently in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

In eukaryotic cells, DNA is long, linear, and associated with proteins called histones, forming tightly coiled chromosomes. I

n prokaryotic cells, DNA is short, circular, and not associated with (proteins) histones. The DNA isn't wound around histones- it condenses to fit into the cell.

What role do histone proteins play in eukaryotic cells?

Histone proteins support and help to package DNA into tightly coiled chromosomes since the histone proteins are wound around the DNA

What type of DNA do mitochondria and chloroplasts contain?

Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own short, circular DNA that us not associated with histone proteins similar to prokaryotic DNA

What is a gene?

A gene is a sequence of DNA bases that codes for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide (protein) or a functional RNA.

What is a locus?

A locus is the fixed position that a gene occupies on a particular DNA molecule.

What is the relationship between triplets/codons and amino acids?

A sequence of three DNA bases, called a triplet or codon, codes for a specific amino acid which codes for a polypeptide

What is the genome?

The genome is the complete set of genes in a cell

What is the proteome?

The proteome is the full range of proteins that a cell is able to produce.

What is the significance of exons and introns in genes?

Exons are sequences that code for amino acids, while introns are non-coding sequences that separate exons within a gene.

What are non-coding multiple repeats in eukaryotic DNA?

These are DNA sequences that repeat multiple times and do not code for amino acids.

What are the characteristics of the genetic code?

The genetic code is universal, non-overlapping,and degenerate.

What does it mean that the genetic code is universal?

It means that the same specific DNA base triplets code for the same amino acids in all living organisms.

What does it mean that the genetic code is non-overlapping?

It means that each base is used only once and in only one triplet.

What does it mean that the genetic code is degenerate?

It means that the same amino acid can be coded for by more than one base triplet. This is done to reduce the chances of a mutation

What is the role of the DNA in eukaryotic cells?

In eukaryotic cells, DNA is primarily stored in the nucleus and is involved in coding for proteins and functional RNA.