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Bio 20A UCSC Final, Zahler
Al Zahler and Barry Bowman 20A final
67
Biology
Undergraduate 2
12/05/2009

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Cards

Term
What is the molecular definition of the  "gene"
Definition

Region where polymerase binds, known as the promoter, which has

specific sequences for binding transcription factors along with

enhancers and silencers

Term

Which of the following is a definition of a gene?

 

a) The transcribed (copied) region upstream of the start codon

b)The protein coding region

c)The transcribed region downstream of the stop codon

d) All of the above

Definition
d) all of the above
Term
How do prokaryotes go about transcription?
Definition

 

Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, so that the ribosomes - the machines that do the

translation - can bind directly to the mRNA while it is still being made.

 

Term
How do eukaryotes go about transcription?
Definition

In eukaryotes, transcription takes place in the nucleus and translation takes place in the

cytoplasm. Transcription and translation are compartmentally distinct.

Term
the messenger RNA (mRNA) in euk's that is copied from the DNA is referred to as ____
Definition
Pre-mRNA
Term
In eukaryotes, what are the three events for RNA processing?
Definition

1- capping at the 5' end

2- removal of introns

3- poly adenylation of the 3' end

Term
What does "Capping" mean for RNA processing?
Definition

Capping adds a modified guanosine - 7 methyl guanosine - to the 5' end of the

message.

Term
What purpose does a RNA 'cap' have?
Definition

The cap helps protect the mRNA from degradation and is important for

translation in the cytoplasm.

Term
A piece of RNA is going through the second stage of processing. There are introns and exons in the RNA. What will happen to these parts?
Definition
The introns will be removed and the exons will stay
Term
What is the definition of an intron?
Definition
intervening sequences that do not code for protein
Term
How are introns recognized?
Definition
Specific RNA sequences at the boundaries
Term
What molecular machine recognizes introns and exons from RNA sequences and processes them?
Definition
Spliceosome
Term
How does a spliceosome process RNA?
Definition

It holds the ends of the exons together and reforms the sugar-phosphate

covalent bond.

There are two steps to the reaction, In the first step RNA is broken at the

boundary between the intron and the first exon, with the intron forming a closed

loop intermediate called the intron lariat. In the second step, the two exons are

joined together and the intron lariat is released and later degraded.

Term
What is a polyadenylated tail?
Definition
A polyadenylated tail is a group of ~200 A bases that is added on the 3' end of a piece of mRNA. It's function is to stabilize the RNA in the cytoplasm and is required for translation of the RNA
Term

True or False:

 

RNA and DNA both have polyadenylated tails

Definition
False- only RNA
Term
What is RNA? What is its function?
Definition

RNA, particularly messenger RNA is a copy of the parts of the DNA information that is

needed at any particular time

It primarily directs the synthesis of proteins through translation of the triplet code into

amino acids,

Term
What is the definition of translation?
Definition
Translation is the converting of nucleotide sequences into the amino acid sequences of protein.
Term
How is DNA transcribed into RNA?
Definition
RNA polymerase makes RNA in the 5' to 3' direction from a 3' to 5' DNA template strand
Term
What guides RNA polymerase to the beginning of a gene?
Definition
Proteins that attach to specific sites in the DNA sequences
Term
Where does translation occur?
Definition
In the ribosome
Term
What function does a tRNA have?
Definition
A tRNA is a form of RNA that reads the triplet codes of RNA and translates them into amino acid sequences for protein
Term
what protein places the correct amino acid onto tRNA's?
Definition
aminoacyl tRNA synthetases
Term
What is a ribosome's composition by weight?
Definition

40%protein

60% RNA (4 different strands)

Term
What is the function of a ribosome?
Definition
To use mRNA for the synthesis of proteins
Term
What are the three phases of translation @ the ribosomes?
Definition
Initiation, Elongation, Termination
Term
What processes occur during the initiation phase of translation at the ribosome?
Definition
A small subunit of the ribosome binds to the mRNA with help of certain 'factors'. AUG (the start codon) is recognized and translation can begin
Term
Explain the A, P, and E sites of the ribosome
Definition

The 'A' Site is where charged tRNAs come into the ribosome. This "aminoacylated (has it's 3' end attached to the carboxyl group of the nucleotide) tRNA contains an anticodon that attaches to the nucleotide triplet on the RNA

The 'P' site is where the 'peptyl tRNA' goes

'E' Site can be thought of as the exit site. The tRNA here no longer carries an amino acid on it's 3' end.

Term
Explain Initiation, Elongation, and Termination of translation at the ribosome.
Definition

Initiation is when the small subunit of the ribosome attaches to the RNA and allows for the first triplet (the start codon AUG) to be read by the anticodon of an aminoacylated tRNA

Elongation is the process of growing a polypeptide through the "changing of hands" from one tRNA to another. When a charged tRNA is placed in the 'P' site, it's growing polypeptide chain is attached to the amino acid that is attached to the tRNA in the 'A' site.

Termination is when the stop codon triplet appears in the RNA and instead of a tRNA, a 'release factor protein' appears and hydrolyzes the bond between the tRNA and the polypeptide chain. This releases the protein. Also the Ribosome is disassembled.

Term
What is a polysome?
Definition
An mRNA which has multiple ribosomes attached to it.
Term
Name and explain the two different classes of mutations that occur during translation.
Definition

Point mutation: Mutates a nucleotide. This mutation may include: an addition, deletion, or any change. This only affects one gene.

 

Chromosomal Mutation: May change a position or orientation of a whole DNA segment on the chromosome. This will not change any of the bases. This could lead to loss or duplication of the DNA that constitutes a gene. This can affect multiple genes.

 

 

Term
What are four classes of point mutations? What is their cause and what is their results?
Definition

Silent Mutation, Missense, Nonsense, and Frameshift.

 

Silent Mutation is when a base is changed in a triplet, but that triplet still codes for the same amino acid (Due to the redundancy of triplets)

Missense Mutation is when a base is changed and it results in the coding of a different amino acid.

Nonsense Mutation is when a base is changed which results in the production of a stop codon. This results in a truncated protein.

Frameshift Mutation is when a base is added or deleted from the reading frame which pushes the whole frame over one unit. The result is the production of an unintended protein.

Term
What is an operon?
Definition
An operon is a functioning unit of key nucleotide sequences of DNA including an operator, a common promoter, and one or more structural genes
Term
What is the function of the Lac Z gene?
Definition
The Lac Z gene encodes the production of the β-galactosidase
Term
What is the function of the Lac Y gene?
Definition
The Lac Y gene encodes the lactose transmembrane protein
Term
What is the function of the Lac A gene?
Definition
The Lac A gene adds acetyl groups to lactose. This has no known function
Term
What is the function of the Lac I gene
Definition
The Lac I gene encodes a protein suppressor which binds to the operator of the operon and blocks RNA polymerase from binding to DNA.
Term
If in a system there is no glucose, but lactose, what would be the behavior of E.Coli?
Definition

From 5' -> 3' the genes are in this order on the DNA:

Lac I, Lac Z, Lac Y, Lac A.


Lac I encodes a protein which suppresses the production of β-galactosidase, but the protein has a binding site that binds to lactose. In the presence of lactose, this protein binds to the lactose instead of the operator.

 

This allows for the transcription of the DNA and the production of β-galactosidase. The operon will express all it's genes.

Term
In a system, if there is  glucose and no lactose, how would E.Coli react?
Definition

In this case, the lac I gene would produce it's suppressor protein and it would bind to the operator, blocking RNA polymerase. This would prevent the production of β-galactosidase.

 

 

Term
If a system had no glucose AND no lactose, how would E.Coli react?
Definition

CRP would be produced since the signal cAMP would be initiated from the lack of glucose, but since Lac I would produce it's suppressor protein, no β-galactosidase would be produced.

 

 

Term
How would E.Coli react if in a system there existed glucose AND lactose?
Definition

The E.Coli would digest all the glucose first. Once the glucose levels were properly low, it would produce a signal [cyclic AMP] which would activate the cAMP Receptor Protein (CRP). CRP binds to the DNA upstream of the lac promoter and recruits the RNA polymerase. 

 

This process allows for the production of β-galactosidase only when the glucose levels are down

Term
When can eukaryotic gene expression be regulated?
Definition
Before or after transcription
Term
What is the complication in eukaryotic gene regulation?
Definition
The DNA is highly condensed, and measures must be taken to loosen the desired regions
Term
What is a nucleosome?
Definition
Nucleosomes form the fundamental repeating units of eukaryotic chromatin, which is used to pack the large eukaryotic genomes into the nucleus while still ensuring appropriate access to it 
Term
What is a histone? Describe it's function and structure
Definition

Histones comprise octomer core spool that DNA wraps around twice. This protein is used in the compaction 

 

Histones have N terminus chains that are more often than not positively charged via amino acids (i.e. lysine). These tails can interact with the phosphate-sugar backbone of DNA which is wrapped around the octomer core.

 

The tails allow the DNA to either be wrapped very tightly or loosely.

Term
What is the structure of a nucleosome?
Definition
The nucleosome is DNA wrapped around 2 each of four different kinds of histones. These bunches of histones are called "core octomers"
Term
How many bases get wrapped with each nucleosome?
Definition
200
Term
What is the function of H1 histomer?
Definition
the H1 histomer links together the nucleosomes.
Term
How do the histone tails interact with DNA?
Definition

The tails are likely to be positively charged with amino acids, wrapping the DNA tightly against the octomer.

 

The tails can be modified depending on the amino acids to change the strength of the DNA binding.

Term
What is the second level of organization for DNA in chromatin?
Definition
A 30 nm fiber made of nucleosomes. Made possible by H1 histone
Term
What are the different kinds of histones in nucleosomes?
Definition
H2A, H2B, H3, H4
Term
What modifications are made to histones to lessen their positive charges?
Definition
The addition of amino acids to make their charges + -> neutral or neutral -> negative
Term
What is the difference between RNA polymerase and RNAP II?
Definition

RNAP II is in eukaryotes

and RNAP is in prokaryotes

Term
RNA polymerase makes mRNA from a _' to _' direction off a _' to _' template
Definition

5' to 3'

 

3' to 5'

Term
DNA polymerase makes DNA in a _' to _' direction from a _' to _' template
Definition

3' to 5'

 

5' to 3'

Term
What is processing is required for PremRNA to become mRNA?
Definition

1) Capping of 5' end

2) Removal of introns

3) Polyadenylation of 3' end

Term
Where in the cell does translation and transcription take place in a eukaryote?
Definition

Translation- cytoplasm

Transcription- nucleus

Term
What is the purpose of the sequence "AAUAAA"  near the 3' end of premRNA?
Definition
AAUAAA promotes cleavage of the RNA and aids in polyadenylation
Term
tRNA that interact with the ribosome are 'charged' with an amino acid. Where is the amino acid connected to the tRNA?
Definition
the 3' end
Term
How many different kinds of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are there?
Definition
20. 1 for each amino acid
Term
How are amino acids added to tRNA?
Definition
Enzymes bind the tRNA and attach the AA to the tRNA using ATP
Term
What are the stop codons?
Definition
UAA, UAG, UGA
Term
What is a SNP (Snip)?
Definition
SNP stands for "single nucleotide polymorphism". In humans these differences will occur every 1000 bases or so.
Term
What are regulators in euk mRNA transcription?
Definition
regulators are regions of DNA near the promoter that can have a positive or negative effect on the binding of transcription factor proteins
Term

What are enhancers/silencers?

 

Definition

Regions in the DNA that bind to specific proteins that can regulate transcription. 

 

Enhancers/silencers work from up to 20000 BP away from promoter

Term
What are the two current hypothesis about how enhancers/silencers can regulate transcription from so far away from the promoter?
Definition

1) DNA loops around and the enhancer/silencer region can interact with the promoter region

2) The enhancer/silencer region binds to a chromatin remodeling protein that opens the chromatin at the promoter

Term
During Translation, what direction is protein synthesized in?
Definition
N to C direction (5' to 3')
Term
What is a plasmid?
Definition
A circle of DNA 3,000 to 10,000 bases long
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