Molecular Biology RNA Transcription Quiz

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

Which RNA Polymerase is responsible for transcribing mRNA and microRNA?

  • RNA Pol III
  • RNA Pol II (correct)
  • RNA Pol IV
  • RNA Pol I

What is the primary function of the TATA Binding Protein (TBP)?

  • To bind the TATA box and recruit transcription factors (correct)
  • To add a methyl group to RNA
  • To phosphorylate RNA Polymerase II
  • To unwind DNA during transcription

Which process involves the addition of a guanosine monophosphate to the RNA strand?

  • Promoter Recognition
  • Splicing
  • 5’ Capping (correct)
  • Polyadenylation

Which factor plays a role in both helicase and kinase activities during transcription initiation?

<p>TFIIH (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do Poly-A binding proteins serve during RNA processing?

<p>They protect the RNA from degradation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During transcription elongation, what is the importance of CTD phosphorylation?

<p>It provides binding sites for processing enzymes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor bind to during RNA processing?

<p>AAUAAA sequence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which RNA Polymerase is involved in ribosome synthesis by transcribing rRNA genes?

<p>RNA Pol I (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does telomerase play in the elongation process of telomeres?

<p>It extends the telomeres by adding DNA sequences to the 3' overhang. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process occurs in eukaryotic cells but not in prokaryotic cells?

<p>RNA processing with 5’ capping and polyadenylation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of RNA is involved in regulating mRNA stability and translation?

<p>miRNA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What feature distinguishes RNA from DNA regarding its stability?

<p>RNA is less stable because it is single-stranded. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of telomere binding proteins like TRF1 and TRF2?

<p>To stabilize telomeres and protect chromosome ends. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the 3' overhang of telomeres?

<p>It is protected by the T-loop structure formed by telomerase. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process is described by the elongation phase in the context of telomere maintenance?

<p>The extension of telomeres by adding repeats to the 3' end of DNA. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the start codon AUG signify in the context of protein synthesis?

<p>The first amino acid in a protein sequence (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of RNA is most abundant and plays a structural role in ribosomes?

<p>rRNA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the 5' splice donor sequence in intron splicing?

<p>To provide a recognition site for the spliceosome components. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is responsible for phosphorylating RNA polymerase II during the initiation stage of transcription?

<p>TFIIH (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the guanosine cofactor play in the self-splicing of introns?

<p>It provides reactive hydroxyl groups for transesterification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what stage of transcription does the RNA polymerase II pause to enable a quick stress response?

<p>Pausing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of alternative splicing is most commonly observed?

<p>Exon skipping. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does miRNA function differently from siRNA in gene regulation?

<p>miRNA inhibits translation rather than degrading mRNA. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the second step in the two-step transesterification splicing mechanism?

<p>Exon 1 and exon 2 are joined together. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which element facilitates the processing of RNA through co-transcriptional modifications?

<p>RNA polymerase II phosphorylated CTD (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which Dicer processes hairpin RNA into miRNA?

<p>It cleaves the hairpin structure into fragments. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do introns contribute to gene regulation?

<p>By folding into double-stranded RNA that can silence genes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme's primary function is to remove the poly-A tail from mRNA during decay?

<p>Deadenylase. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the siRNA pathway after Dicer processes dsRNA?

<p>Single-stranded RNA is created by helicase. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which exonuclease is involved in the torpedo model of transcription termination?

<p>Xrn2 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the spliceosome assembly?

<p>Xrn2 exonuclease (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism interferes with translation initiation by blocking ribosome assembly at the 5' end?

<p>Cap Binding Block. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following distinguishing features characterizes siRNA in relation to miRNA?

<p>Has perfect complementarity with its target. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Inosine in the wobble hypothesis?

<p>It can pair with Adenine, Cytosine, or Uracil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true concerning prokaryotic ribosomes?

<p>The small subunit is composed of 16S rRNA and 21 proteins. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the initiation of translation in eukaryotes, what is the function of the Cap Binding Complex?

<p>It binds to the mRNA cap and helps locate the first AUG codon. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In prokaryotic translation, what is the purpose of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence?

<p>It positions the AUG codon in the P site of the ribosome. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ribosomal site is primarily responsible for holding the growing polypeptide chain during translation?

<p>P site (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What catalytic activity does the peptidyl transferase perform?

<p>It catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which RNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing 5S rRNA?

<p>RNA polymerase III (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to deacylated tRNA after it leaves the P site?

<p>It is released from the E site. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in producing cDNA from eukaryotic mRNA?

<p>Extract mRNA from eukaryotic cells. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is used to create sticky ends by digesting the cDNA?

<p>EcoRI (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the process of producing recombinant DNA, what method is used for delivering Fosmids into bacterial cells?

<p>Transduction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is specifically used to confirm the presence of a DNA insert in a plasmid?

<p>Agarose gel electrophoresis after digestion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does T5 exonuclease play in the Gibson Assembly method?

<p>Chews back DNA ends to create overlaps. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of dideoxynucleotide triphosphates (ddNTPs)?

<p>Lacks a hydroxyl group at the 3' position. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the His-tag in protein purification?

<p>To allow binding to Ni2+ beads. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method allows the cloning of multiple DNA fragments in one reaction without using restriction enzymes?

<p>Gibson Assembly (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

RNA Polymerase I

A protein complex responsible for synthesizing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, excluding the 5S rRNA gene.

RNA Polymerase II

A protein complex that transcribes messenger RNA (mRNA), long non-coding RNA, microRNA, and some small nuclear RNA (snRNA).

RNA Polymerase III

A protein complex that transcribes small RNA genes, including transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (5S rRNA).

TATA Box

A DNA sequence recognized by the TATA Binding Protein (TBP), marking the start of transcription.

Signup and view all the flashcards

TATA Binding Protein (TBP)

A protein that binds to the TATA box and distorts the DNA structure, facilitating the recruitment of other transcription factors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Pre-Initiation Complex (PIC)

A complex formed by RNA Polymerase II and six general transcription factors (GTFs), initiating transcription.

Signup and view all the flashcards

TFIIH

A general transcription factor that unwinds DNA and phosphorylates the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Polymerase II, starting transcription.

Signup and view all the flashcards

5' Capping

A process that adds a 5' cap to messenger RNA (mRNA), protecting it from degradation and facilitating translation initiation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell duplicates its DNA before cell division. It involves unwinding the DNA double helix, separating the strands, and using each strand as a template to synthesize a new complementary strand. This ensures that each daughter cell receives a complete copy of the genome.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Origins of Replication

Specific DNA sequences where DNA replication begins in eukaryotes. They act as starting points for the replication machinery to access the DNA and initiate the process. Multiple origins allow for efficient replication of large eukaryotic genomes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

S Phase

The phase of the cell cycle where DNA replication takes place. It is a crucial step before the cell can divide, ensuring that each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Telomeres

Specialized structures at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from degradation and fusion. They consist of repetitive DNA sequences and are like caps that prevent the DNA from unraveling or being damaged.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Telomerase

An enzyme that adds repetitive DNA sequences to the ends of telomeres, extending their length. It helps maintain chromosome stability and prevents their shortening during DNA replication. Telomerase activity is crucial for cell division.

Signup and view all the flashcards

T-loop

A loop structure formed by the 3' overhang of a telomere, further stabilizing the chromosome ends. It contributes to the protection of chromosome ends and prevents them from being recognized as damaged DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Telomere Binding Proteins (TRF1 and TRF2)

Proteins that bind to telomeres and contribute to their stability and protection. They prevent the ends of chromosomes from being recognized as double-strand breaks and initiating DNA repair mechanisms, which could lead to chromosome fusion or degradation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Telomere Elongation

The process by which telomerase extends telomeres. It involves the enzyme using its RNA template to add repetitive DNA sequences to the 3' end of the telomere, compensating for the loss of DNA during replication and maintaining chromosome integrity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

RNA Synthesis and translation in eukaryotes

RNA is synthesized in the nucleus and then transported to the cytoplasm for translation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

RNA processing in eukaryotes

RNA processing in eukaryotes includes 5' capping, splicing, and 3' polyadenylation. These modifications ensure stability and efficient translation of the RNA molecule.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transcription Initiation

The process where RNA polymerase binds to DNA and initiates the synthesis of RNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transcription Elongation

The process where RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template, adding nucleotides to the growing RNA chain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transcription Pausing

A pause in transcription elongation, often caused by regulatory factors. It allows the cell to quickly respond to environmental changes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

RNA Processing

The process where the newly synthesized RNA undergoes modifications, including adding a 5' cap, splicing out introns, and adding a 3' poly-A tail.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transcription Termination

The process where transcription ends, releasing the RNA molecule from the DNA template.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Introns

Non-coding regions within a gene that are removed during RNA processing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Exons

Coding regions within a gene that are joined together to form the mature mRNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Spliceosome

A complex molecular machine that removes introns and joins exons together during RNA splicing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wobble Hypothesis

The third nucleotide of the anticodon can pair with multiple bases in the codon, allowing for less stringent pairing at the wobble position.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Wobble Position

The wobble position is the third base of the anticodon, and it can pair with multiple bases in the codon.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Inosine Pairing

Inosine (I) can pair with A, C, or U in the codon.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ribosome Small Subunit

The small subunit of the ribosome (30S in prokaryotes, 40S in eukaryotes) contains rRNA and proteins, and is responsible for binding mRNA and initiating translation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ribosome Large Subunit

The large subunit of the ribosome (50S in prokaryotes, 60S in eukaryotes) contains rRNA and proteins, and is responsible for peptide bond formation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

A Site

The A site on the ribosome binds incoming aminoacyl-tRNA, which carries the next amino acid to be added to the polypeptide chain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

P Site

The P site on the ribosome holds the growing polypeptide chain, which is attached to tRNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

E Site

The E site on the ribosome holds tRNA that is ready to exit the ribosome after its amino acid has been added to the polypeptide chain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Self-Splicing Intron

A specific type of intron that can catalyze its own removal from a pre-mRNA molecule. This process, known as self-splicing, involves a series of chemical reactions that do not require the assistance of additional enzymes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Alternative Splicing

A process that produces multiple protein isoforms from a single gene by selectively including or excluding certain exons during mRNA splicing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Guanosine Cofactor

A cofactor that plays a crucial role in the self-splicing of introns by providing a reactive hydroxyl group for the transesterification reactions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Deadenylase

An enzyme that removes the poly-A tail from mRNA molecules, contributing to the degradation of these transcripts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Decapping Enzyme

An enzyme that removes the 5' cap from mRNA molecules, shortening the transcript and initiating its degradation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

miRNA (microRNA)

A type of small non-coding RNA that plays a regulatory role in gene expression by inhibiting translation or triggering mRNA degradation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

siRNA (small interfering RNA)

A type of small non-coding RNA that triggers the degradation of specific mRNA molecules, effectively silencing gene expression.

Signup and view all the flashcards

RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex)

A multi-protein complex that plays a crucial role in both miRNA-mediated translation inhibition and siRNA-mediated mRNA degradation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

cDNA synthesis

A process used to create complementary DNA (cDNA) copies from messenger RNA (mRNA). This allows for the expression of eukaryotic genes in bacterial cells.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Restriction Enzyme Cloning

A technique used to insert DNA fragments into plasmids or other vectors. It involves cutting both the DNA fragment and the vector with a restriction enzyme, creating compatible sticky ends that can then be joined by DNA ligase.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gibson Assembly

A fast and efficient cloning method that allows for the joining of multiple DNA fragments without using restriction enzymes. It relies on overlapping sequences between fragments, which are then joined by a combination of exonucleases, polymerases, and ligases.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sanger Sequencing

A type of DNA sequencing technique, developed by Fred Sanger, that uses dideoxynucleotides to terminate DNA synthesis at specific bases. It is the foundation of many sequencing technologies used to determine the order of nucleotides in DNA.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Transduction

The ability of bacteriophages to integrate their DNA into the host bacterial genome, allowing for genetic material to be delivered to bacterial cells efficiently.

Signup and view all the flashcards

BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome)

A cloning vector that allows cloning of large DNA fragments, typically ranging from 30 to 400 kb.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Southern Blot

A type of molecular biology technique used to detect a specific DNA sequence in a complex mixture. It involves separating DNA fragments by size on a gel, transferring them to a membrane, and then probing with a labeled DNA probe complementary to the target sequence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Restriction Enzyme Digestion

A technique used to verify the presence of a gene insert in a plasmid. This involves digesting the plasmid with a restriction enzyme, separating the DNA fragments by size on an agarose gel, and then visualizing the fragments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Key Experiments Leading to DNA as Genetic Material

  • Frederick Griffith (1928): Transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria
  • Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty (1944): DNA was the transforming agent
  • Hershey and Chase (1952): DNA entered E. coli cells; 32P labels DNA, 35S labels protein

Experimental Evidence for Semiconservative Replication

  • Meselson and Stahl (1958) used cesium chloride centrifugation and different nitrogen isotopes (N15 and N14) to label DNA
  • First generation: Intermediate density (one heavy strand, one light strand)
  • Second generation: A mix of light and intermediate density

Semiconservative DNA Replication - Arthur Kornberg

  • Kornberg used the wrong polymerase (DNA pol I), which was too slow and short.
  • DNA Polymerases in E. coli:
    • DNA polymerase I (Pol I): Major repair enzyme, 3' to 5' and 5' to 3' exonucleases
    • DNA polymerase II (Pol II): Replication restarts after damage
    • DNA polymerase III (Pol III): Main replication enzyme, synthesizes long DNA strands, 3' to 5' exonuclease activity
    • DNA polymerase IV and V: Error-prone repair mechanisms

Replicating the Bacterial Chromosome

  • John Cairns used 3H-thymidine incorporation to study DNA synthesis
  • One round of replication: chromosome is a double-stranded circular DNA molecule
  • Second round of replication: DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA in two directions simultaneously

Steps in DNA Replication (Lagging Strand)

  • Primase synthesizes RNA primer (5' to 3')
  • DNA polymerase III elongates leading strand continuously
  • DNA synthesized in Okazaki fragments, starting with RNA primers
  • DNA polymerase I cleaves RNA primers, fills gaps and synthesizes DNA (5' to 3')
  • DNA ligase seals gaps between Okazaki fragments

Replication Bubble in Prokaryotes (E. coli)

  • OriC: Origin of replication in E. coli (circular genome)
  • Replication in both directions from origin, forming two replication forks
  • Primosome: primase and helicase
  • Replisome: Multi-protein complex that carries out DNA synthesis

DNA Replication in Eukaryotes

  • Multiple Origins of Replication
  • S Phase
  • DNA wrapped around histones and needs to be unwound
  • Telomerase
    • Telomeres: protective repeated DNA sequences at ends of chromosomes
    • RNA of telomerase: template for extending 3' overhang of telomeres
    • T-loop: 3' overhang of telomeres, stabilizing chromosomes

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Molecular Biology: RNA Transcription
10 questions
Transcription Process Overview
40 questions
RNA Transcription and Initiation
45 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser