Genes and the genetic code

• What is the role of proteins in our traits?

  • Building blocks that determine our traits
• What is a gene?

  A section of DNA with protein instructions
• What are the four base pairs found in DNA?

  • Adenine (A)
  • Thymine (T)
  • Cytosine (C)
  • Guanine (G)
• What are the main structural components of DNA?

  • Sugar-phosphate backbone
  • Minor groove
  • Major groove
  • Base pairs
• What is the name of the molecule shown in the image?

  Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
• How can this image be used to determine the amino acid sequence of a protein from its DNA/RNA sequence?

  To determine the amino acid sequence of a protein from its DNA/RNA sequence, you can use this image to look up each triplet codon and identify the corresponding amino acid.
• How do genes influence our characteristics?

  They determine traits like eye color and height
• What is the name of the backbone structure that connects the base pairs in DNA?

  Sugar-phosphate backbone
• What are the key components related to genes?

  • Gene: Segment of DNA coding for a protein
  • DNA: Molecule with genetic instructions
  • Protein: Building blocks determining traits
• What are the two main components of DNA?

  Sugar-phosphate backbone and base pairs
• How does a gene relate to DNA structure?

  A gene is a sequence along one DNA strand
• What are the 5' and 3' ends of the DNA molecule?

  The 5' and 3' ends refer to the orientation of the sugar-phosphate backbone
• How are the base pairs arranged in DNA?

  • A pairs with T
  • C pairs with G
• What is the structure of DNA?

  Double helix
• What is a gene?

  A specific sequence of base pairs
• What is the definition of DNA?

  • The molecule that contains genetic instructions
• What are the 20 amino acids represented in the image?

  The 20 amino acids represented are:

  Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gln, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val
• What does it mean that the genetic code is degenerate?

  Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid
• What is the amino acid represented by the codon GUC?

  Val
• What is the purpose of this image?

  This image represents the genetic code, showing the 20 standard amino acids and how they are encoded by the 64 possible triplet codons of DNA/RNA.
• What patterns or relationships can be observed in the arrangement of the amino acids in this image?

  • Amino acids with similar properties (e.g. charge, polarity) are grouped together
  • The codons are arranged in a circular pattern, highlighting the redundancy in the genetic code
  • The 3' and 5' ends of the codons are indicated, showing the directionality of translation
• What is the name of the wider groove between the base pairs in DNA?

  Major groove
• What is the function of a gene?

  It carries instructions for making a protein
• What are the steps of protein synthesis shown in the image?

  • Transcription: DNA is transcribed into pre-mRNA
  • mRNA is transported to the ribosome
  • Translation: mRNA is translated into a polypeptide chain
• What do the major and minor grooves in DNA structure indicate?

  They are regions for protein binding
• What is the name of the groove between the base pairs in DNA?

  Minor groove
• How does the arrangement of the amino acids in this image reflect their chemical properties?

  Amino acids with similar properties (e.g. charge, polarity) are grouped together
• What is the genetic code?

  A universal system for coding amino acids
• What is the amino acid represented by the codon CUG?

  Leu
• What is the role of RNA polymerase in transcription?

  It copies DNA into mRNA
• What are codons?

  • 3-base sequences in the genetic code
  • Specify particular amino acids
• Why are there multiple codons that code for the same amino acid?

  To provide redundancy and flexibility in the genetic code
• What do codons specify in the genetic code?

  Particular amino acids
• What is the role of the RNA polymerase enzyme shown in the image?

  It transcribes the DNA into pre-mRNA
• What occurs during transcription?

  • RNA polymerase copies DNA into mRNA
  • mRNA moves from the nucleus to cytoplasm
• How does the structure of DNA allow it to store and transmit genetic information?

  • DNA is a double-stranded molecule with complementary base pairs
  • The sequence of bases encodes genetic information
  • This information can be replicated and passed on to daughter cells
• What are the base pairs found in DNA?

  A-T and C-G
• What are the two main processes through which DNA codes for proteins?

  1. Transcription
  2. Translation
• What does the codon AUG code for?

  Methionine (Met) or initiates protein synthesis
• How does a polypeptide chain relate to proteins?

  • The chain folds to form a functional protein
  • Proteins help determine our traits