Key Concepts in DNA and RNA
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Key Concepts in DNA and RNA

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Questions and Answers

What is the process called in which one strain of bacteria is changed by a gene or genes from another strain of bacteria?

  • Mutation
  • Transformation (correct)
  • Transcription
  • Replication
  • What is a bacteriophage?

  • A sequence of DNA
  • A virus that infects bacteria (correct)
  • A type of protein
  • A strand of RNA
  • What is a nucleotide?

    Monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

    What is the principle of base pairing?

    <p>Bonds in DNA can form only between adenine and thymine, and between guanine and cytosine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is chromatin?

    <p>Granular material visible within the nucleus; consists of DNA tightly coiled around proteins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a histone?

    <p>Protein molecule around which DNA is tightly coiled in chromatin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is replication?

    <p>The copying process by which a cell duplicates its DNA.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is DNA polymerase?

    <p>Enzyme involved in DNA replication that joins individual nucleotides to produce a DNA molecule.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a gene?

    <p>Sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is messenger RNA?

    <p>RNA molecule that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does ribosomal RNA do?

    <p>Makes up the major part of ribosomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is transfer RNA?

    <p>Type of RNA molecule that transfers amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is transcription?

    <p>Process in which part of the nucleotide sequence of DNA is copied into a complementary sequence in RNA.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is RNA polymerase?

    <p>Enzyme similar to DNA polymerase that binds to DNA and separates the DNA strands during transcription.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a promoter?

    <p>Region of DNA that indicates to an enzyme where to bind to make RNA.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an intron?

    <p>Sequence of DNA that is not involved in coding for a protein.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an exon?

    <p>Expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a codon?

    <p>Three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is translation?

    <p>Decoding of a mRNA message into a polypeptide chain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an anticodon?

    <p>Group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a mutation?

    <p>Change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a point mutation?

    <p>Gene mutation involving changes in one or a few nucleotides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a frameshift mutation?

    <p>Mutation that shifts the 'reading' frame of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is polyploidy?

    <p>Condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an operon?

    <p>Group of genes operating together.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an operator?

    <p>Region of chromosome in an operon to which the repressor binds when the operon is 'turned off'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is differentiation?

    <p>Process in which cells become specialized in structure and function.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Hox genes?

    <p>Series of genes that controls the differentiation of cells and tissues in an embryo.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Both DNA and RNA are polymers of __________.

    <p>Nucleotides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The process, called ________________, involves separating ('unzipping') the DNA molecule into two strands, each of which serves as a template to assemble a new, complementary strand.

    <p>DNA Replication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During DNA replication, the enzyme ________ unwinds the DNA helix, forming a Y-shaped replication fork.

    <p>Helicase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During DNA replication, the enzyme helicase unwinds the DNA helix, forming a Y-shaped ___________.

    <p>Replication Fork</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does DNA polymerase do?

    <p>Attaches to the RNA primers and begins elongation, the adding of DNA nucleotides to the complement strand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the study of heredity, the terms ______ and _________ are used to represent the genetic information for a particular trait.

    <p>Gene and Genotype</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The process that describes how enzymes and other proteins are made from DNA is called __________________.

    <p>Protein Synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is messenger RNA (mRNA)?

    <p>A single strand of RNA that provides the template used for sequencing amino acids into a polypeptide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is transfer RNA (tRNA)?

    <p>A short RNA molecule (consisting of about 80 nucleotides) that is used for transporting amino acids to their proper place on the mRNA template.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Another portion of the tRNA, specified by a triplet combination of nucleotides, is the __________.

    <p>Anticodon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are ribosomal RNA molecules?

    <p>Building blocks of ribosomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during transcription?

    <p>Begins with initiation, continues with elongation, and ends with termination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All of the following enzymes are involved in DNA replication EXCEPT:

    <p>RNA Polymerase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the end products of translation?

    <p>Polypeptides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following contains a code for a protein?

    <p>mRNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Protein synthesis consists of all of the following steps EXCEPT:

    <p>Replication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The genetic instructions for forming a polypeptide chain are carried to the ribosome by the:

    <p>mRNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who discovered that the nucleic acid DNA stores and transmits the genetic information from one generation of an organism to the next?

    <p>Avery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who concluded that the genetic material of the bacteriophage was DNA, not protein?

    <p>Hershey and Chase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Watson and Crick's model of DNA?

    <p>A double helix, in which two strands were wound around each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who discovered that a factor in heat-killed, disease-causing bacteria can 'transform' harmless bacteria into ones that can cause disease?

    <p>Griffith</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are nitrogenous bases?

    <p>Thymine (T)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Key Concepts in DNA and RNA

    • Transformation: A process where one bacterial strain is modified by genes from another strain, impacting genetic characteristics.

    • Bacteriophage: A type of virus specifically targeting bacteria, used in studies of gene transfer and genetic material.

    • Nucleotide Structure: The basic building block of nucleic acids consisting of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

    DNA Structure and Function

    • Base Pairing: Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine; crucial for DNA replication and integrity.

    • Chromatin and Histones: Chromatin is made of DNA wrapped around histones, facilitating structure and regulation within the nucleus.

    • DNA Replication: The copying mechanism where DNA strands are separated and new complementary strands are synthesized, involving enzymes like DNA polymerase.

    • DNA Polymerase: An enzyme essential for adding nucleotides during DNA replication, ensuring the accurate assembly of new DNA strands.

    RNA Variants and Their Roles

    • Gene Definition: A DNA segment that encodes for proteins, essential for organism traits.

    • Types of RNA:

      • Messenger RNA (mRNA): Carries genetic code from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.
      • Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Makes up the structural and functional components of ribosomes.
      • Transfer RNA (tRNA): Delivers amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.
    • Transcription Process: Involves copying DNA sequences into complementary RNA sequences, occurring in stages: initiation, elongation, and termination.

    Genetic Code and Mutations

    • Codon: A set of three nucleotides in mRNA that designates a specific amino acid during protein synthesis.

    • Translation: The process where mRNA messages are decoded into polypeptide chains, eventually forming functional proteins.

    • Mutation Types:

      • Point Mutation: Changes in one or a few nucleotides affecting gene expression.
      • Frameshift Mutation: Results from the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, altering the reading frame and potentially producing nonfunctional proteins.
    • Polyploidy: A condition where cells or organisms have multiple sets of chromosomes, affecting cellular functions and genetics.

    Gene Regulation and Differentiation

    • Operon: A cluster of genes regulated together, important in prokaryotic gene expression.

    • Hox Genes: Control the differentiation of cells in embryonic development, influencing body plan and structure.

    • Differentiation: The specialization process where cells acquire distinct structures and functions, crucial for development and organism complexity.

    Historical Discoveries in Genetics

    • Avery's Experiment: Demonstrated that DNA is the hereditary material, carrying genetic information across generations.

    • Hershey and Chase Experiment: Proved that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material within bacteriophages.

    • Watson and Crick: Proposed the double helix structure of DNA, providing insights into replication and genetic information storage.

    • Griffith's Transformation Experiment: Showed that non-virulent bacteria can become virulent when exposed to heat-killed pathogenic strains, introducing the concept of genetic material transfer.

    Nitrogenous Bases

    • Key Bases:
      • Adenine (A)
      • Thymine (T)
      • Cytosine (C)
      • Guanine (G)

    These bases are fundamental to the structure and function of DNA and RNA, playing critical roles in genetic information coding and protein synthesis.

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    Description

    Test your understanding of crucial concepts related to DNA and RNA, including transformation, nucleotide structure, and DNA replication. This quiz covers the essential components and functions that underpin genetic material and its role in cellular processes.

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