Bio Test 2 (Lecture 13 - Genes & GMOs)

what are nucleic acids

-group of macromolecules

-contains information on how to build proteins

nucleic acid monomer

nucleotide (3 parts)

• sugar

• phosphate

• nitrogenous base (something with a lot of nitrogen in it)

nucleic acid polymer

DNA (double-stranded) and RNA (single-stranded)

what is DNA

-stored in the nucleus

-chromosomes (condensed packages of DNA)

-DNA is used to transcribe RNA

what is RNA

-takes DNA outside of the nucleus

-can be used to make proteins

-two types:

• mRNA (messenger)

• tRNA (transfer)

transcription process (DNA to RNA)

-RNA reads the strand of DNA

-builds up the strand of messenger RNA

-mRNA leaves the nucleus

translation process (DNA to RNA)

-mRNA bring information from DNA

• reads 3 nucleotides at a time (codons)

• ribosomes do the reading

-tRNA transfers the RNA

• matches to the codons

• each match has a specific amino acid

-the protein then folds and leads to physical traits (phenotype)

central dogma of biology

genetic information flows in a specific direction (from DNA to RNA to protein)

what are genes

a specific section of DNA that codes for a specific mRNA for a specific protein

what are GMOs

”genetically modified organism”

what is cisgenic modification

genes removed from one species to another of the same species

what is transgenic modification

genes removed from one species to another of a different species