3.4.1 DNA, genes & chromosomes Flashcards

Explain how genetic information is organised within DNA molecules and chromosomes. (13 cards)

1
Q

In prokaryotic cells, what is the shape of the DNA molecule and is it associated with proteins?

A

Short circular DNA not associated with histone proteins.

Prokaryotes lack histones and typically have a single circular chromosome in the cytoplasm.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

In the nuclei of eukaryotic cells, DNA molecules are long and linear. Which proteins are they associated with to form chromosomes?

A

Histones

DNA wraps around histone proteins to form chromatin, which condenses into chromosomes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What structure is formed when a DNA molecule combines with its associated proteins in eukaryotic cells?

A

Chromosome

A chromosome consists of one long DNA molecule packaged with proteins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Besides the nucleus, which two organelles in eukaryotic cells also contain their own DNA?

A

Mitochondria and chloroplasts

These organelles have circular DNA similar to that found in prokaryotes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

True or False:

DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts is linear and associated with histone proteins.

A

False

Their DNA is short, circular and not associated with histone proteins, similar to prokaryotic DNA.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What do we call a sequence of DNA bases that codes for a polypeptide or a functional RNA molecule?

A

Gene

Genes can code for polypeptides or functional RNA such as rRNA and tRNA.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What term describes the fixed position that a gene occupies on a DNA molecule?

A

Locus

Each gene is located at a specific locus on a chromosome.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the name given to a sequence of three DNA bases that codes for a specific amino acid?

A

Triplet or codon

Each triplet of DNA bases corresponds to one amino acid in a polypeptide.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

True or False:

The genetic code is overlapping, meaning a base can belong to multiple triplets.

A

False

The genetic code is non-overlapping, so each base is part of only one triplet/codon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What property of the genetic code means that several different base triplets can code for the same amino acid?

A

Degenerate

For example, multiple codons can specify the same amino acid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Fill in the blank:

Within a gene, the sequences that actually code for amino acid sequences are called ______.

A

Exons

Exons remain in the mature mRNA after RNA processing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Fill in the blank:

Non-coding sequences found within genes that separate coding regions are called ______.

A

Introns

Introns are removed during RNA splicing before translation occurs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

True or False:

Much of the DNA in eukaryotic nuclei does not code for polypeptides.

A

True

Eukaryotic genomes contain large amounts of non-coding DNA including repeats and introns.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly