Genetics, Genomics, Evolution

Where do most errors in genetic information arise from?

DNA replication

How do dNTPs come together to form a chain?

What are 4 effects of the negative charge of the phosphate backbone of DNA?

1) Interactions with water make DNA stable in the cell

2) Interactions with protons attracts positively charged amino acids (His, Lysine, Arg)

3) Chromosome structure results from electrostatic repulsion

4) Allows us to do gel electrophoresis

What 3 amino acids are attracted to the phosphate backbone of DNA?

Histidine (H), Lysine (K), Arginine (R)

What carbon do nitrogenous bases attach to?

1’ carbon

Purines vs Pyrimidines

Purines = Bigger, 2-ring shape

Pyrimidines = Smaller, 1 hexagon

What is the effect of pairing purines and pyrimidines in the DNA double-helix?

One is always smaller, and the other is always bigger, creating a consistent distance between the 2 strands

What is the strongest base pair?

G-C (3 H-bonds)

Why are weaker base pair interactions sometimes useful?

It takes less energy to break the bonds and perform certain biological processes on them

What direction to you read DNA strands?

5’ to 3’