The Central Dogma: DNA, RNA, Proteins, and Genetic Mutations

What is the process of translating mRNA into a protein called?

Translation.

What are proteins primarily composed of?

Proteins are composed of amino acids.

What is the significance of the primary structure of a protein?

The primary structure is the specific sequence of amino acids that forms the backbone of a peptide chain.

What is a common example of a secondary protein structure?

Alpha helix and beta-pleated sheet.

What determines the tertiary structure of a protein?

The overall shape of a protein is determined by interactions between R groups of amino acids.

What is the Central Dogma of molecular biology?

The Central Dogma describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

What is the primary function of DNA?

DNA serves as the carrier of genetic information.

What is the process by which DNA is copied?

Replication.

What is the role of mRNA in the Central Dogma?

mRNA acts as the chemical messenger that carries information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

What is quaternary structure in proteins?

Quaternary structure refers to the assembly of two or more polypeptide chains into a single functional protein.

What is denaturation in the context of proteins?

Denaturation is the disruption of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins, often due to heat or chemicals.

What are the two types of nucleic acids?

DNA and RNA.

What are the building blocks of nucleic acids?

Nucleotides.

What are the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA?

Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine.

What sugar is found in DNA?

Deoxyribose.

What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Ribosomes facilitate the translation of mRNA into proteins.

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype refers to the observable traits.

What is the function of insulin?

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

What is the role of pepsin?

Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach.

What is the significance of functional groups in proteins?

Functional groups determine the chemical properties and reactivity of amino acids.

What is the impact of environmental factors on protein structure?

Environmental factors such as pH and temperature can affect protein folding and function.

What is the relationship between genes and traits?

Genes are sequences of DNA that code for proteins, which in turn determine traits.

What is the role of RNA polymerase?

RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

What is the significance of the 'one gene - one protein' hypothesis?

This hypothesis suggests that each gene encodes a specific protein, which contributes to a specific function.

How many naturally occurring amino acids are there?

There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids.

What is the function of collagen?

Collagen provides structural support in connective tissues such as skin and bones.

What is the role of heavy metal ions in protein denaturation?

Heavy metal ions can react with disulfide bonds in proteins, disrupting their structure.

What are the three components of a nucleotide?

Nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate group

What is the role of RNA?

RNA decodes genetic information and helps in protein synthesis

What is Chargaff's Rule?

In DNA, the amount of adenine equals thymine, and the amount of cytosine equals guanine.

What is the structure of DNA?

Double-stranded helix with a sugar-phosphate backbone

What type of bond holds the two strands of DNA together?

Hydrogen bonds between complementary bases

What is the significance of the 5' and 3' ends of DNA?

They indicate the directionality of the DNA strand.

What is semi-conservative replication?

Each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand.

What are the main players in DNA replication?

DNA helicase, DNA polymerase, and RNA primase

What is the function of mRNA?

mRNA carries the genetic code from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

What are the three types of RNA and their functions?

rRNA (structural component of ribosomes), tRNA (transfers amino acids), mRNA (carries genetic information)

What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from the DNA template.

What is the process of transcription?

The synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.

What are Okazaki fragments?

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during replication.

What is the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA replication?

Eukaryotic replication has multiple origins; prokaryotic has one origin.

What is the structure of RNA?

Single-stranded with ribose sugar and uracil instead of thymine.

What is the function of tRNA?

tRNA brings the correct amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

What is the role of the promoter in transcription?

The promoter is the start site where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

What is the function of the terminator in transcription?

The terminator signals RNA polymerase to stop transcription.

What is the difference between the coding strand and the template strand of DNA?

The coding strand has the same sequence as mRNA, while the template strand is complementary to it.

What is the significance of histones in DNA structure?

Histones help compact DNA into chromatin in eukaryotic cells.

What is the role of plasmids in prokaryotic cells?

Plasmids are small, independently replicating DNA molecules that can carry genes for antibiotic resistance.

What is the function of DNA polymerase?

DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand.

What is the purpose of proofreading during DNA replication?

To correct errors and ensure high fidelity in DNA synthesis.

What is the primary function of ribosomes?

Ribosomes build proteins according to the DNA plans (genes).

What are the three types of RNA involved in protein synthesis?

rRNA (ribosomal RNA), tRNA (transfer RNA), and mRNA (messenger RNA).

What is the role of rRNA?

rRNA is part of the structure of ribosomes and is involved in protein synthesis.

What does tRNA do?

tRNA brings the correct amino acids to the ribosome to build new proteins.

What is mRNA?

mRNA is the product of transcription of the DNA coding strand and serves as a template for protein synthesis.

What are the components of RNA structure?

RNA consists of nitrogenous bases, a sugar (ribose), and phosphate groups.

Which nitrogenous bases are found in RNA?

Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, and Uracil (which replaces Thymine).

What is the sugar component of RNA?

The sugar in RNA is ribose, which has an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon.

What is transcription?

Transcription is the process of converting DNA into RNA.

What signals the start and stop of transcription?

The promoter signals the start, and the terminator signals the end of transcription.

What is the process of translation?

Translation is the process where ribosomes read the mRNA transcript to synthesize proteins.

What is the energy source for translation?

GTP (Guanosine triphosphate) is used as the energy source during translation.

What are codons?

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids.

What is a start codon?

The start codon is AUG, which signals the beginning of translation.

What are stop codons?

Stop codons signal the termination of protein synthesis.

What is the lac operon?

The lac operon is an inducible operon in E. coli that controls the transport and catabolism of lactose.

What is the function of the operator in the lac operon?

The operator prevents RNA polymerase from binding when the repressor is active.

What happens to the lac operon in the presence of lactose?

Lactose inactivates the repressor, allowing transcription of the operon.

What is the trp operon?

The trp operon is a repressible operon in E. coli that regulates the synthesis of tryptophan.

What is a missense mutation?

A missense mutation is a change in the mRNA sequence that results in a different amino acid being incorporated into the protein.

What is a nonsense mutation?

A nonsense mutation is a change in the mRNA sequence that creates an early stop codon, leading to a truncated protein.

What are spontaneous mutations?

Spontaneous mutations are changes in DNA that occur naturally without external influence.

What are mutagens?

Mutagens are agents that increase the frequency of mutations, such as physical or chemical substances.

What is horizontal gene transfer?

Horizontal gene transfer is the transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

What is transformation in bacteria?

Transformation is the uptake of exogenous DNA by a bacterial cell.

What is transduction?

Transduction is the transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another via a virus.

What is conjugation in bacteria?

Conjugation is the direct transfer of genetic material between bacteria through a pilus.

What are transposons?

Transposons are movable DNA fragments that can change their position within the genome.

What is bioremediation?

Bioremediation is the use of organisms to remove pollutants from the environment.

What is the role of restriction endonucleases?

Restriction endonucleases are enzymes that cut foreign nucleic acids, providing a defense mechanism for bacteria.

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