Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following elements is NOT a component of nucleic acids?
Which of the following elements is NOT a component of nucleic acids?
What type of bond links nucleotides together to form a nucleic acid strand?
What type of bond links nucleotides together to form a nucleic acid strand?
Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not in DNA?
Which nitrogenous base is found in RNA but not in DNA?
What is the primary function of messenger RNA (mRNA)?
What is the primary function of messenger RNA (mRNA)?
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According to the Central Dogma of Life, what is the correct sequence of information flow?
According to the Central Dogma of Life, what is the correct sequence of information flow?
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Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a crucial role by:
Transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a crucial role by:
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Which of the following best describes the structure of DNA?
Which of the following best describes the structure of DNA?
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Which of the following describes how a gene is expressed according to the information provided?
Which of the following describes how a gene is expressed according to the information provided?
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What is the primary function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
What is the primary function of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
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What is the role of tRNA in translation?
What is the role of tRNA in translation?
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What is an anticodon?
What is an anticodon?
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Which of the following best describes an operon?
Which of the following best describes an operon?
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What is the role of the lac repressor in the lac operon when lactose is not present?
What is the role of the lac repressor in the lac operon when lactose is not present?
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What happens to the lac repressor when lactose is present?
What happens to the lac repressor when lactose is present?
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How is gene expression regulated in prokaryotes?
How is gene expression regulated in prokaryotes?
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What is the role of the TATA box in eukaryotic gene expression?
What is the role of the TATA box in eukaryotic gene expression?
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What are transcription factors?
What are transcription factors?
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Which of the following is NOT a way that gene expression can be regulated in eukaryotes?
Which of the following is NOT a way that gene expression can be regulated in eukaryotes?
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How does the process of translation end?
How does the process of translation end?
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What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?
What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?
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In what cellular compartment does translation occur in prokaryotes?
In what cellular compartment does translation occur in prokaryotes?
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What type of bond is formed between amino acids during translation?
What type of bond is formed between amino acids during translation?
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What is the overall purpose of gene regulation?
What is the overall purpose of gene regulation?
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Which of the following is NOT directly involved in the process of translation?
Which of the following is NOT directly involved in the process of translation?
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What is the significance of the genetic code being 'degenerate'?
What is the significance of the genetic code being 'degenerate'?
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Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing DNA from an RNA template in retroviruses?
Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing DNA from an RNA template in retroviruses?
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What is the consequence of inserting or deleting one or two nucleotides within the coding sequence of a gene?
What is the consequence of inserting or deleting one or two nucleotides within the coding sequence of a gene?
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What is the purpose of a 'start codon' in mRNA?
What is the purpose of a 'start codon' in mRNA?
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A mutation where a purine is replaced by a pyrimidine is known as a:
A mutation where a purine is replaced by a pyrimidine is known as a:
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What is the primary function of amino-acid charging enzymes in protein synthesis?
What is the primary function of amino-acid charging enzymes in protein synthesis?
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Which type of point mutation does NOT alter the amino acid sequence of a protein?
Which type of point mutation does NOT alter the amino acid sequence of a protein?
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What is the role of the anticodon sequence on tRNA?
What is the role of the anticodon sequence on tRNA?
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What catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds during translation?
What catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds during translation?
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What is the direct consequence of a nonsense mutation in a gene sequence?
What is the direct consequence of a nonsense mutation in a gene sequence?
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What is the primary role of mRNA in protein synthesis?
What is the primary role of mRNA in protein synthesis?
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How do frameshift mutations affect the reading frame of a gene?
How do frameshift mutations affect the reading frame of a gene?
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What is the function of a release factor in translation?
What is the function of a release factor in translation?
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During transcription, in which direction is the DNA template read by RNA polymerase?
During transcription, in which direction is the DNA template read by RNA polymerase?
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In which direction does RNA polymerase read the DNA template during transcription?
In which direction does RNA polymerase read the DNA template during transcription?
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What is the complementary base pairing rule in RNA transcription when reading off a DNA template?
What is the complementary base pairing rule in RNA transcription when reading off a DNA template?
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What is the function of the promoter sequence on the DNA template?
What is the function of the promoter sequence on the DNA template?
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How is transcription terminated in prokaryotes?
How is transcription terminated in prokaryotes?
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What modification occurs to pre-mRNA before it is translated into a protein?
What modification occurs to pre-mRNA before it is translated into a protein?
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What does the term 'colinear' mean in the context of the central dogma?
What does the term 'colinear' mean in the context of the central dogma?
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In prokaryotes, what is unique about the timing of transcription and translation?
In prokaryotes, what is unique about the timing of transcription and translation?
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Which of the following best describes the 'concurrent' nature of transcription and translation in bacteria?
Which of the following best describes the 'concurrent' nature of transcription and translation in bacteria?
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If three nucleotides are inserted into the beginning of the coding region of an mRNA, what is the most likely consequence?
If three nucleotides are inserted into the beginning of the coding region of an mRNA, what is the most likely consequence?
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Why can multiple ribosomes work on the same mRNA molecule simultaneously?
Why can multiple ribosomes work on the same mRNA molecule simultaneously?
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What is the significance of the starting AUG codon in mRNA?
What is the significance of the starting AUG codon in mRNA?
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What is the relationship between a codon and an anticodon?
What is the relationship between a codon and an anticodon?
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What type of bond links amino acids together to form a polypeptide?
What type of bond links amino acids together to form a polypeptide?
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What is the role of a stop codon in translation?
What is the role of a stop codon in translation?
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What is the primary function of homeotic genes?
What is the primary function of homeotic genes?
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Which of the following best describes the role of homeobox genes?
Which of the following best describes the role of homeobox genes?
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How does DNA methylation typically affect gene expression?
How does DNA methylation typically affect gene expression?
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What is the definition of epigenetics, as described in the text?
What is the definition of epigenetics, as described in the text?
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How might early malnutrition in a mother affect her child's gene expression and phenotype?
How might early malnutrition in a mother affect her child's gene expression and phenotype?
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Which of the following statements best describes why cancer is considered a disease of altered gene expression?
Which of the following statements best describes why cancer is considered a disease of altered gene expression?
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What role does the p53 protein play in normal cells and how is this affected in cancer?
What role does the p53 protein play in normal cells and how is this affected in cancer?
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How do proto-oncogenes differ from tumor suppressor genes?
How do proto-oncogenes differ from tumor suppressor genes?
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Which of the following cellular events is associated with the activation of oncogenes?
Which of the following cellular events is associated with the activation of oncogenes?
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If a cancer cell has DNA methylation in the promoter region of a gene, how would a possible medication work to reverse this?
If a cancer cell has DNA methylation in the promoter region of a gene, how would a possible medication work to reverse this?
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How can a mutation in the promoter or enhancer region of a gene contribute to cancer?
How can a mutation in the promoter or enhancer region of a gene contribute to cancer?
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What effect does phosphorylation of transcription factors have on gene expression?
What effect does phosphorylation of transcription factors have on gene expression?
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How does an imbalance in the long (c-FLIPL) and short (c-FLIPS) proteins in colon cancer cells contribute to disease and altered gene expression?
How does an imbalance in the long (c-FLIPL) and short (c-FLIPS) proteins in colon cancer cells contribute to disease and altered gene expression?
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What is the main idea behind targeted therapies for cancer treatment?
What is the main idea behind targeted therapies for cancer treatment?
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Which of the following best describes the concept of personalized medicine as it relates to cancer treatment?
Which of the following best describes the concept of personalized medicine as it relates to cancer treatment?
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Flashcards
Transcription
Transcription
The process of copying the genetic instructions from DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).
Translation
Translation
The process of translating the genetic code from mRNA into a sequence of amino acids to build a protein.
Central Dogma of Life
Central Dogma of Life
The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to proteins.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
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Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
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Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
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Genetic Code
Genetic Code
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Gene
Gene
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What is messenger RNA (mRNA)?
What is messenger RNA (mRNA)?
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What is translation?
What is translation?
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What is the Central Dogma of molecular biology?
What is the Central Dogma of molecular biology?
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What is a codon?
What is a codon?
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What is meant by the degeneracy of the genetic code?
What is meant by the degeneracy of the genetic code?
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What is the universality of the genetic code?
What is the universality of the genetic code?
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What is a mutation?
What is a mutation?
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What is a point mutation?
What is a point mutation?
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What is a missense mutation?
What is a missense mutation?
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What is a nonsense mutation?
What is a nonsense mutation?
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What is a frameshift mutation?
What is a frameshift mutation?
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What is transcription?
What is transcription?
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What is a promoter sequence?
What is a promoter sequence?
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What is a terminator sequence?
What is a terminator sequence?
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What is meant by concurrent transcription and translation?
What is meant by concurrent transcription and translation?
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RNA Polymerase
RNA Polymerase
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Promoter
Promoter
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Terminator
Terminator
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Splicing
Splicing
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mRNA
mRNA
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Ribosome
Ribosome
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tRNA
tRNA
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Codon
Codon
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Anticodon
Anticodon
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Amino Acid Charging
Amino Acid Charging
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Stop Codon
Stop Codon
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Protein Folding
Protein Folding
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Polyribosomes
Polyribosomes
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Gene Regulation
Gene Regulation
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Operon
Operon
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Transcription Factor
Transcription Factor
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TATA Box
TATA Box
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Inducible Operon
Inducible Operon
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Repressible Operon
Repressible Operon
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Lac Operon
Lac Operon
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Lac Repressor
Lac Repressor
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Homeotic Genes
Homeotic Genes
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Homeobox Genes
Homeobox Genes
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Hox Genes
Hox Genes
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Epigenetics
Epigenetics
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Heterochromatin
Heterochromatin
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Euchromatin
Euchromatin
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Histone
Histone
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Environmental Factors
Environmental Factors
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Cancer
Cancer
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Tumor Suppressor Genes
Tumor Suppressor Genes
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Proto-oncogenes
Proto-oncogenes
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P53
P53
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Myc
Myc
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Targeted Therapies
Targeted Therapies
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Personalized Medicine
Personalized Medicine
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Study Notes
Nucleic Acids
- Nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
- They are conserved throughout evolution and store hereditary information in all organisms.
- DNA provides instructions for protein synthesis, determining amino acid sequences in polypeptides via transcription and translation.
- Nucleic acids are made of nucleotides, linked by phosphodiester bonds.
- Nucleotides consist of a pentose sugar (deoxyribose or ribose), a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine or uracil), and a phosphate group.
DNA vs RNA
- DNA carries the genetic blueprint passed from parents to offspring via cell division.
- DNA has a double helix structure with two strands running in opposite directions, connected by hydrogen bonds and complementary base pairings (A-T, C-G).
- RNA is single-stranded and comes in different types: messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA).
Central Dogma of Life
- Genes contain coded DNA instructions for building proteins.
- Proteins determine an organism's characteristics.
- DNA in the nucleus serves as a template to create multiple RNA copies.
- RNA carries instructions to ribosomes in the cytoplasm for protein assembly.
RNA Types
- mRNA carries instructions from the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
- rRNA forms ribosomal subunits where proteins are synthesized.
- tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome and matches them to the mRNA codons during protein assembly.
- A single DNA molecule can contain thousands of genes; only expressed genes are copied into RNA.
Gene
- A gene is the unit of heredity, capable of replication, expression, and mutation.
- Technological advancements in genetics have ethical, legal, and health implications.
- Four nucleotides create DNA sequences that specify amino acid polymers.
- Sequences can be transcribed into mRNA and further translated into proteins.
Genetic Code
- The genetic code uses DNA and RNA alphabets (A, T, C, G, and U) and 20 amino acids.
- The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information: DNA to mRNA to protein.
- Transcription converts genes into mRNA.
- Translation uses mRNA to synthesize proteins, along with tRNA and rRNA.
- RNA codons (3 consecutive nucleotides) specify amino acids or polypeptide chain release.
- The code is degenerate, meaning some amino acids have multiple codons.
- The genetic code is nearly universal across organisms (except mitochondria and some microbes).
- Retroviruses (like HIV) store genetic information in single-strand RNA, using reverse transcriptase to make DNA.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- mRNA carries a molecular copy of one or more genes.
- Translation of mRNA converts nucleotide information to a protein product.
- Each amino acid is defined by a triplet codon (3 nucleotide sequence).
- Variations in amino acid sequences affect protein structure and function.
Central Dogma of Life (detailed)
- Genetic information flows from DNA's genes to mRNA, specifying amino acids, which form proteins.
- DNA to RNA transcription has one nucleotide added to mRNA for every one read in DNA.
- Translation involves 3 mRNA nucleotides per amino acid.
- Nucleotide sequences are colinear with amino acid sequence.
Genetic Code (Codons)
- 64 possible nucleotide triplets; many codons code for the same amino acid (degenerate).
- Frameshift mutations (insertions or deletions) alter all subsequent codons.
- Critical to avoid single or double base insertions and deletions in the reading frame.
Genetic Code (continued)
- Nonsense codons (stop codons) terminate protein synthesis.
- The start codon (AUG) specifies methionine and initiates translation.
- The reading frame is set by the AUG codon near the 5' end of mRNA.
- The universality of the genetic code supports a common origin of all life.
- mRNA sequences from one organism can be used to make the same protein in another.
Point Mutations
- Substitutions: one base is replaced by another.
- Transitions: purine replaced by purine or pyrimidine replaced by pyrimidine.
- Transversions: purine replaced by pyrimidine or vice versa.
- Silent mutations: nucleotide change, no amino acid change.
- Missense mutations: change in amino acid.
- Nonsense mutations: change to a stop codon, shorter protein.
Frameshift Mutations
- Reading frames are divided into consecutive triplets.
- Frameshifts alter all codons after the insertion or deletion.
- Insertions add bases, shifting frame.
- Deletions remove bases, changing frame.
- If insertions/deletions happen in multiples of 3, usually no large effect.
- Frameshifts near the beginning or end often create significant protein changes.
Transcription
- Transcription copies a DNA base sequence into a complementary RNA sequence.
- RNA polymerase reads DNA 3' to 5' and assembles RNA 5' to 3'.
- Uracil (U) is paired with Adenine (A) in RNA.
- mRNA synthesis begins at a promoter sequence where RNA polymerase binds.
- Transcription elongation continues until a stop sequence (terminator).
- Transcription termination releases mRNA with hairpin formation.
Concurrent Transcription and Translation
- In prokaryotes, transcription and translation can be concurrent. This means many copies of an encoded protein can rapidly accumulate.
- This is possible because there's no nuclear compartmentalization in prokaryotes.
- Multiple polymerases and ribosomes can work on the same region at the same time.
Pre-mRNA Processing (Splicing)
- Pre-mRNA is modified before translation.
- Introns are removed, and exons (coding regions) are joined to form mature mRNA.
- The same pre-mRNA can be spliced differently in various tissues, creating different protein products from one gene.
Translation (Overview)
- mRNA is translated into a polypeptide.
- Ribosomes (small and large subunits) bind mRNA.
- Translation starts at the AUG codon (methionine).
- tRNA carries specific amino acids to the ribosome.
- Anticodons on tRNA pair with mRNA codons.
- Amino acids are joined by peptide bonds.
- Translation continues until a stop codon is reached.
- Release factors detach components to release the polypeptide.
- Proteins fold during and after translation.
Protein Synthesis Machinery
- Protein synthesis is energetically demanding.
- Proteins are a major component of cells, performing various functions.
- Translation decodes mRNA into amino acids, linked by peptide bonds, forming proteins with amino (NH2) and carboxyl (COOH) groups on each amino acid.
- Ribosomes catalyze this peptide bond formation, generating water.
Translation (detailed)
- Ribosomes bind to mRNA in the cytoplasm.
- tRNA brings amino acids corresponding to each codon.
- Amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain.
- tRNA anticodon matches mRNA codon.
- Ribosomes create peptide bonds between amino acids.
- The process continues until a stop codon is reached, releasing mRNA and polypeptide.
Three Types of RNA in Translation
- mRNA carries the genetic code from the nucleus to ribosomes.
- tRNA delivers amino acids to ribosomes.
- Ribosomes, composed of proteins and rRNA, catalyze amino acid bonding.
- Overall, RNA carries the genetic code and translates it.
- Genes code for traits.
- Proteins often function as enzymes that speed up chemical reactions by decreasing the activation energy.
Gene Regulation (Introduction)
- Cells regulate protein synthesis timing to conserve energy and resources.
- Gene expression involves controlling when and how much RNA and protein is made.
- Similar organisms can have different traits related to different gene activation times/responses to environmental cues.
- Improper gene expression can lead to diseases.
Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
- DNA binding proteins control transcription in prokaryotes.
- Operons are groups of genes regulated together.
Lac Operon (Inducible)
- Inducible operons are activated when needed.
- The Lac operon encodes genes to process lactose; expression relies on low glucose and lactose presence.
- A repressor protein turns the operon off when lactose is absent.
- To start the operon/genes to be expressed lactose must bind to the lac repressor changing its shape which allows the operon to be turned on, causing the generation of mRNA which is translated into proteins to let the cell process/break down lactose as an energy source if glucose is not available.
Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes (Gene Expression)
- Prokaryotes lack a nucleus; transcription and translation are concurrent.
- Eukaryotes have a nucleus; transcription occurs in nucleus, translation in cytoplasm.
- Gene regulation is more complex in eukaryotes due to the multiple cell types and spatial and temporal complexity.
Transcription Factors
- Transcription factors are DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression.
- The TATA box, a DNA sequence, aids in RNA polymerase positioning.
- Regulatory proteins can either increase or decrease transcription.
Development and Differentiation
- Gene regulation dictates cell type and protein amounts in eukaryotes.
- Differentiation: expressing different genes to become a cell type with special structure = function.
- Homeotic genes and homeobox genes regulate body plans.
- Hox genes code for transcription factors in development.
Epigenetics
- Epigenetics modifies gene expression without changing DNA sequence.
- Histone modifications (methylation, acetylation) affect chromatin structure and gene expression levels.
- Methylation can lead to gene silencing.
- Acetylation loosens chromatin and promotes gene expression.
Other Factors Influencing Gene Expression
- Environmental factors (temperature, nutrients) can impact gene expression.
- Epigenetic alterations during fetal development can have long-lasting effects and explain phenotypic differences. This could lead to health consequences in later life.
Cancer
- Cancer is caused by altered gene expression, potentially affecting DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and transcription factor activity.
- Cancer involves cell cycle control mutations, resulting in unregulated cell growth.
- Cyclins and other checkpoints control the cell cycle; mutations can lead to cancer.
- Certain tumor suppressor genes can prevent excess cell growth.
Altered Gene Expression in Cancer
- Cancer can involve changes in gene expression levels at various stages.
- Epigenetic modifications (methylation, histone acetylation) can silence tumor suppressor genes.
- Transcription factors can be activated, leading to excessive gene expression.
Tumor Suppressor Genes
- Tumor suppressor genes prevent excessive cell growth.
- P53 is a crucial transcription factor often mutated in cancer.
- Proto-oncogenes, when mutated, become oncogenes and promote uncontrolled growth.
- Myc is a transcription factor linked to lymphoma, driving uncontrolled growth.
Cancer and Epigenetics
- In cancer, DNA methylation can silence certain genes, and histone modifications can also shut down expression of genes important in suppressing cancer.
- These modifications tend to be temporary and sometimes can be reversed.
Cancer and Transcription
- Transcription factor activation through phosphorylation can increase binding and trigger uncontrolled growth.
- Mutations in promoter or enhancer regions can affect transcription factor binding.
- Some cancers involve signaling pathways, such as EGFR activation.
Cancer and Translation
- Cancer can involve altered protein translation, potentially leading to aberrant cell function.
- These could be proteins that stimulate cell growth, or that initiate cell death.
- Imbalance in protein expression contributes to cancer development.
Targeted Therapies
- Understanding gene expression allows development of targeted therapies for cancer.
- Targeted therapies exploit specific cancer features (mutations, overexpressed proteins) to minimize harm to healthy cells.
- This has led to personalized medicine approaches.
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Description
Test your knowledge on nucleic acids with this quiz covering key concepts such as the structure and function of DNA and RNA, as well as the processes involved in gene expression. Questions will challenge your understanding of nucleotides, mRNA, tRNA, and the Central Dogma of Life.