Module 4 Exam Prep: Microbiology

Genetics

the study of hereditary

Gene

single unit of hereditary, encodes a functional product

Genome

all genetic material in a cell

DNA consists of:

nucleotide monomers: phosphate, sugar, nitrogenous base

Backbone of the double helix

sugar and phosphate, phosphodiester bonds

Nitrogenous bases

adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine

Bonds between nitrogenous bases

Hydrogen bonds

Interacts with the major groove

DNA binding proteins

DNA binding protein

important for gene expression/regulation

Supercoiled

DNA being tightly wound

DNA is packaged around what DNA binding protein

Histones

DNA replication is when an old strand…

is a template for a new strand

DNA gyrase

uncoils DNA

Helicase

unzips DNA

Primase

syntesizes RNA primers

DNA polymerase III

begins synthesis for replication

DNA replication is in which direction

5’ to 3’

Leading strand

continuous DNA synthesis

Lagging strand

Discontinued synthesis, okazaki fragments

Methylation 

enzymes add methyl groups to newly synthesized strands (adenines)

Transcription

DNA → RNA

Translation

RNA → protein

Causes of mutations

replication error, radiation, chemicals, viruses