Questions and Answers
What are the polymers of nucleic acids?
What three parts do the monomers of nucleic acids consist of?
Phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
What provides directions for its own replication and directs cell activities?
DNA
What does a gene provide directions to build?
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What is the repeating backbone of a polynucleotide?
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What is the structure of DNA?
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RNA usually consists of how many strands?
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How many kinds of DNA nucleotides are there?
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Which parts of DNA nucleotides are always the same? Which part changes?
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During DNA replication, each new DNA molecule contains one strand from the _____ DNA molecule and one _____ strand.
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How is DNA replication described?
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What are the differences between DNA and RNA?
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What happens during transcription?
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What does mRNA do?
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Where does translation occur?
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What are involved in translation?
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What occurs during RNA processing?
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The central dogma follows the flow of information from?
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The key process for information storage and transfer to offspring cells is?
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What do tRNA molecules do?
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Why does a gene NOT constantly churn out the same protein at all times in every cell?
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MicroRNA molecules can bind to mRNA transcripts, preventing them from producing proteins.
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What mutation is the LEAST likely to result in harmful changes to cells?
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What does a nonsense mutation do?
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What is a lump of abnormal cells that remains at its original site called?
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What is an abnormally growing mass of cells that is actively spreading through the body called?
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What is the spread of cancer cells from their site of origin to other sites in the body called?
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An individual with a malignant tumor is said to have?
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What is an example of a transgenic organism?
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What cuts DNA at specific nucleotide sequences?
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The process of accurately amplifying a sample of DNA is called?
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What does gel electrophoresis separate pieces of DNA based on?
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Match the following to their corresponding terms:
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What percent of the human genome encodes for proteins?
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Study Notes
Nucleic Acids
- Nucleic acids are polymers made up of nucleotides.
- Nucleotides consist of a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.
DNA and RNA
- DNA provides instructions for its own replication and directs cellular activities, including protein synthesis.
- RNA is produced from genes and is responsible for conveying genetic instructions into the amino acid sequence of proteins.
- DNA has a double-helix structure with complementary base pairs: cytosine pairs with guanine, and adenine pairs with thymine.
- RNA usually exists as a single polynucleotide strand.
DNA Nucleotides
- There are four types of DNA nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
- The sugar and phosphate groups in DNA nucleotides remain constant; however, the nitrogenous base varies.
DNA Replication
- Each daughter DNA molecule in replication contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.
- DNA replication is characterized as semi-conservative.
Differences Between DNA and RNA
- DNA nucleotides comprise AGCT, are double-stranded, and use deoxyribose sugar.
- RNA nucleotides contain AGCU, are single-stranded, and use ribose sugar.
Transcription and Translation
- During transcription, RNA nucleotides align with complementary DNA strands, resulting in RNA synthesis.
- mRNA moves from the nucleus to the cytoplasm after processing.
- Translation occurs at ribosomes in the cytoplasm and involves ribosomes, tRNA, anticodons, and amino acids.
RNA Processing
- RNA processing adds a modified guanine cap, removes non-coding segments, reconnects coding segments, and adds adenine tails.
Central Dogma and Gene Regulation
- The central dogma illustrates the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein.
- DNA replication is crucial for information storage and transmission to offspring cells.
- tRNA translates mRNA into specific amino acid sequences, varying protein production through gene regulation and mRNA processing.
Mutations and Tumors
- MicroRNA can inhibit mRNA, preventing protein synthesis.
- Silent mutations are least likely to disrupt cellular function, while nonsense mutations create prematurely truncated proteins, typically defective.
- Benign tumors are abnormal cell growths that remain localized, while malignant tumors spread throughout the body.
- Metastasis refers to the movement of cancer cells from their original site to other body parts.
Biotechnology
- A transgenic organism contains genes from another species, like bacteria engineered to produce human insulin.
- Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites, while the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies DNA samples.
- Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments based on size.
Genetic Probes and Primers
- Fluorescent nucleotide probes visualize specific gene locations on chromosomes.
- Primers define the boundaries for DNA portions copied in PCR.
Human Genome
- Only 1.5% of the human genome is responsible for encoding proteins, emphasizing the complexity and regulation of gene expression.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on nucleic acids with these flashcards based on Chapter 6. The quiz covers essential concepts such as the components of nucleotides, the structure of DNA, and the role of genes in protein synthesis. Perfect for reinforcing key terms and definitions in molecular biology.