DNA Functions
What is DNA primarily responsible for in living organisms?
Determining genetic information and traits
Where is DNA stored in a cell?
In the nucleus
What is the basic structure of DNA called?
Double Helix
What is a codon?
Three bases that code for an amino acid or stop signal
What role does RNA play in protein synthesis?
It carries copies of genetic code from the nucleus. It carries the genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.
What is a gene?
A section of DNA that codes for a specific protein
How many gene can a single strand of DNA contain?
Thousands
Which describes a base pair in DNA?
Complementary bases (A-T or C-G) joined togethe
What do amino acids form?
Proteins
How to read a codon wheel to determine which amino acids are being coded?
Start at the center with the first base of the codon.
Move to the second wheel for the second base.
Move to the third wheel for the third base.
The outermost section shows the amino acid coded by that 3-letter codon.
What determines an organism's physical characteristics?
Genetic information in DNA
What structures read and interpret RNA in the cell?
Ribosomes
How to pair DNA with mRNA complementary bases?
A pairs with U, T pairs with A and C pairs with G
How are codons interpreted during protein synthesis?
Three bases at a time. Ribosomes read codons on mRNA and produce amino acids into proteins.
What is the relationship between DNA and protein production?
DNA provides instructions to make proteins
What is the purpose of genetic engineering in food production?
To introduce desirable traits
Where does protein synthesis occur in relation to DNA?
In the cytoplasm
What is the purpose of a codon wheel?
To translate mRNA into amino acids
What are the 3 mutations we learned about?
Substitution, Deletion and Insertion
How are proteins built in cells?
Linking amino acids together in a specific order based on mRNA sequences. Or 2 step process known as transcription and translation
What are genetically modified organisms?
Organisms with engineered DNA changes
What is the hierarchical organization of biological structures starting with amino acids?
proteins makes cells makes tissues makes organs makes living organisms
What does a stop codon do?
Ends protein production. The end of protein synthesis.
What are 2 of the mutations that cause a frameshift?
Insertion and deletion
What determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein?
The sequence of codons in mRNA