DNA Structure and Protein Synthesis Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from DNA structure, replication, and protein synthesis.

What is a DNA molecule made up of? What is the monomer of DNA?

A DNA molecule is made up of nucleotides; the monomer of DNA is a nucleotide.

What are the 4 nitrogenous bases of DNA?

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

What must be true about the amount of each base if you know the amount of its complement?

The amount of adenine (A) equals thymine (T), and the amount of cytosine (C) equals guanine (G).

What is meant by the phrase "complementary bases"?

Complementary bases refer to the pairing of adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine in the DNA double helix.

What is the shape of a DNA molecule described as?

A DNA molecule is described as a double helix.

What molecules are our genes used to make? What are the monomers of these molecules?

Genes are used to make proteins; the monomers of proteins are amino acids.

What is the goal of DNA Replication? What is semi-conservative replication?

The goal of DNA replication is to create an identical copy of the DNA; semi-conservative replication means that each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one new strand.

What is mRNA?

mRNA (messenger RNA) is a type of RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

How is mRNA different from DNA?

mRNA is single-stranded, contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T), and has ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose.

How is mRNA made? What is this process called?

mRNA is made through the process of transcription.

What are codons? What are anti-codons?

Codons are three-nucleotide sequences on mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids; anti-codons are complementary three-nucleotide sequences on tRNA.

What does each codon have the information needed to do?

Each codon has the information needed to specify one amino acid in a protein.

What is tRNA? What is rRNA?

tRNA (transfer RNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis; rRNA (ribosomal RNA) is a component of ribosomes.

What is Translation? Where does it occur in the cell?

Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA; it occurs in the ribosomes.

What is a mutation? What kinds of mutations are there?

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence; kinds of mutations include point mutations, insertions, deletions, and chromosomal mutations.

What is the general difference between gene mutations and chromosomal mutations?

Gene mutations affect a single gene, while chromosomal mutations affect the structure or number of chromosomes.

What happens to a DNA code when a mutation happens?

A mutation alters the DNA sequence, which may change the resulting protein.

What effect does mutation have on the structure of a protein produced in protein synthesis? What about its function?

A mutation can alter the amino acid sequence of a protein, potentially affecting its structure and function.

How can incorrectly made proteins lead to health problems, like CF or Sickle Cell Anemia?

Incorrectly made proteins can disrupt normal cellular function, leading to diseases like Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Sickle Cell Anemia.

Can mutations theoretically be a good thing? Explain:

Yes, mutations can introduce new traits that may provide advantages in certain environments, contributing to evolution.

Explain the differences and effects of the different types of mutations: a. Silent - b. Frameshift - c. Substitution - d. Deletion - e. Duplication - f. Inversion -

Silent mutations do not change the protein; Frameshift mutations alter the reading frame; Substitution mutations change one amino acid; Deletion mutations remove a nucleotide; Duplication mutations duplicate a segment of DNA; Inversion mutations reverse a segment of DNA.