36 Questions
What is the primary function of catabolic pathways in metabolic pathways?
To break down molecules to release energy
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA → RNA → Protein
What is the sugar-phosphate backbone composed of in DNA?
Phosphate groups and deoxyribose
What is the quaternary structure of a protein?
Interaction between multiple polypeptide chains
What is the active site of an enzyme?
Region that binds to substrate
What is the primary function of enzymes in biochemical reactions?
To speed up chemical reactions
What is the purpose of allosteric control in enzymology?
To regulate enzyme activity through binding of molecules at a site other than the active site
What is the primary function of coenzymes in enzymology?
To facilitate electron transfer in enzymatic reactions
What is the purpose of feedback inhibition in enzymology?
To inhibit enzyme activity in response to excess product
What is the primary function of DNA sequencing in molecular biology?
To determine the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule
What is the primary function of anabolic pathways in metabolic pathways?
To synthesize new molecules from energy
What is the main focus of molecular biology?
The structure and function of biological molecules
What is the role of nucleotides in nucleic acid chemistry?
To build blocks of nucleic acids
What is the primary function of alpha helices and beta sheets in protein structure?
To stabilize the secondary structure of a protein
What is the goal of drug development in pharmaceuticals?
To understand biochemical pathways and targets
What is the composition of the double helix structure of DNA?
A-T and G-C base pairs
What is the role of histone proteins in binding and chromosomes?
To bind to negatively charged DNA
What is the process of DNA replication?
Semi-conservative process
What is the key difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes lack a true nucleus, while eukaryotes have a true nucleus
What is the purpose of DNA repair mechanisms?
To maintain genome stability
What is the primary role of biochemistry in drug development?
To understand the structure and function of biological molecules
What is the consequence of a mutation in the base pairing rules of DNA?
A mutation in the base pairing rule results in a mismatch of the base pairing, leading to errors in DNA replication
What is the role of histone proteins in chromatin structure?
Histone proteins form a nucleosome core around which DNA wraps to form chromatin
What is the first stage of DNA replication?
Initiation
What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes in terms of DNA replication?
Prokaryotes have a simpler DNA replication process, while eukaryotes have a more complex process
What is the purpose of DNA repair mechanisms?
To correct errors in DNA replication
What is the role of helicase and primase in DNA replication?
They are involved in the initiation stage of DNA replication
What is the consequence of a failure in DNA replication regulation?
Uncontrolled cell growth and division
What is the primary difference in DNA replication between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes have a single, large replicon, while eukaryotes have multiple, smaller replicons
What is the mechanism by which eukaryotes correct mismatched bases during DNA replication?
Mismatch repair (MMR)
What is the primary difference in DNA repair between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes have a simpler DNA repair system, while eukaryotes have a more complex system
What is the process by which eukaryotes regulate DNA replication?
Initiation: controlled by origin recognition complexes and licensing factors, Elongation: regulated by polymerase and helicase activity, Termination: controlled by telomeres and termination proteins
What is the purpose of licensing factors in DNA replication?
To regulate the initiation of DNA replication
What is the process by which prokaryotes correct DNA lesions?
Error-prone repair mechanisms
What is the function of telomeres in DNA replication?
To control the termination of DNA replication
What is the primary difference in chromosome structure between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
Study Notes
Metabolic Pathways
- Series of chemical reactions that occur within a cell to convert energy and nutrients
- Catabolic pathways: breakdown of molecules to release energy
- Anabolic pathways: synthesis of molecules to store energy
- Key players: enzymes, coenzymes, and cofactors
- Regulation: allosteric control, feedback inhibition, and hormonal regulation
Molecular Biology
- Study of the structure, function, and interactions of biological molecules
- Central dogma: DNA → RNA → Protein
- DNA replication, transcription, and translation
- Molecular techniques: PCR, DNA sequencing, and gene cloning
Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Structure of DNA:
- Double helix model
- Sugar-phosphate backbone
- Nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T)
- Structure of RNA:
- Single-stranded
- Uracil (U) instead of thymine (T)
- Base pairing: A-T, G-C
Protein Structure
- Primary structure: sequence of amino acids
- Secondary structure: α-helices and β-sheets
- Tertiary structure: 3D shape of a protein
- Quaternary structure: interaction between multiple polypeptide chains
- Functions: enzymes, hormones, structural proteins, and transport proteins
Enzymology
- Biochemical catalysts that speed up chemical reactions
- Active site: region that binds to substrate
- Enzyme-substrate complex: formation of enzyme-substrate bond
- Factors affecting enzyme activity: temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and inhibitors
Drug Development
- Process of discovering and developing new drugs
- Stages: target identification, lead optimization, and clinical trials
- Importance of structural biology in drug design
DNA Structure
- Double helix model
- Sugar-phosphate backbone
- Nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T)
- Base pairing: A-T, G-C
Binding of DNA
- Histone proteins: H2A, H2B, H3, and H4
- Nucleosomes: DNA wrapped around histone octamer
- Chromatin: complex of DNA, histones, and other proteins
Chromosomes
- Thread-like structures made of chromatin
- Chromosome condensation: coiling of chromatin during cell division
- Karyotype: complete set of chromosomes in a cell
Histones and Packaging of DNA
- Histone octamer: two copies of each histone protein
- Nucleosome formation: DNA wraps around histone octamer
- Chromatin compaction: coiling of nucleosomes into chromatin fibers
DNA Replication
- Semi-conservative replication: each new DNA molecule contains one old strand and one new strand
- Leading strand synthesis: continuous synthesis in one direction
- Lagging strand synthesis: discontinuous synthesis in short Okazaki fragments
- Replication fork: Y-shaped region where DNA replication occurs
Differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotes: bacteria and archaea
- Lack of true nucleus
- Single circular chromosome
- Rapid cell division
- Eukaryotes: plants, animals, fungi, and protists
- True nucleus
- Linear chromosomes
- Complex cell division
Regulation of Replication
- Initiation of replication: binding of initiator proteins to origin of replication
- Elongation: synthesis of new DNA strands
- Termination: completion of DNA replication
- Regulation: licensing factors, checkpoint pathways, and DNA damage response
DNA Repair
- Mechanisms to correct DNA damage:
- Base excision repair
- Nucleotide excision repair
- Mismatch repair
- Double-strand break repair
- Importance of DNA repair in maintaining genome stability
Test your knowledge of molecular biology concepts, including metabolic pathways, DNA structure, protein synthesis, and gene regulation. Topics covered include DNA replication, transcription, and translation, as well as protein structure and function.
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