DNA Intro
What is the shape of DNA?
Double Helix
What base pairs with Adenine (A)?
Thymine (T)
Why would a cell need to replicate its DNA?
Repair, grow, create new cells.
List the phases of mitosis in order.
(Interphase)
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
(Cytokinesis)
What is a silent mutation?
A change in the DNA sequence that does not affect the amino acids created.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What is a chromosome?
A large mass of DNA (coiled around proteins) that is visible during cell replication.
What does the enzyme helicase do during DNA replication?
It cuts (unzips/unwinds) the DNA molecule in half.
It separates the base pairs and unwinds the helix shape.
During which phase will the nucleus reappear during mitosis?
Telophase
What are the two steps required for gene expression to occur?
Transcription and Translation
What are Watson and Crick known for?
Discovering the double helix structure of DNA
How many base pairs are in one human DNA strand?
About 3 Billion
What does the enzyme DNA polymerase do during cellular replication?
It attaches the new matching bases to the leading strand of the original DNA.
Draw a cell in metaphase
Paired/sister chromosomes lined up in the middle of the cell. (Spindle fibers can be attached at far ends)
What is a codon?
A 3 letter sequence of mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.
Who was the third scientist who aided in Watson and Crick's discovery?
Rosalind Franklin
Many nucleotides in a specific order make up a ___________.
Gene
What are the two strands called during DNA replication?
*One is fast and the other is slow*
Leading and lagging strands
What phase does a cell spend a majority of its time in?
Interphase
What is the term for a chemical or physical agent that may increase the chances of genetic mutations?
Mutagens
What does complementary mean?
Goes together with or pairs up with
Works well together
What are the three parts of a nucleotide?
Phosphate, (deoxyribose) sugar, and nitrogen base
What is meant by the term "semi-conservative" in terms of DNA replication?
In each new DNA strand, one half is from the original.
Part of the original is kept the same by the replication process
What do each of the roots of cytokinesis mean?
Cyto -
Kinesis -
Cyto = cell
Kinesis = movement
What are the three key differences between DNA and RNA?
RNA replaces Thymine with Uracil, RNA is single stranded, RNA has a different sugar base (ribose)