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DNA and gene function
Basic properties of DNA and gene function
4
Biochemistry
Undergraduate 1
04/25/2013

Additional Biochemistry Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
What is the evidence that DNA is the genetic material? (3 experiments)
Definition

1. Griffith's transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Wild type = dead mouse

Heat-treated wild-type = alive mouse

Mutant (rough) = alive mouse

Mutant + heat-treated = dead mouse*

 

2. Avery et al further transformation experiments

Lyse and fractionate wild-type cells --> Separate carbohydrates:

Rough + Proteases = dead mouse

Rough + Nucleases = alive mouse

 

3. Hershey Chase blender experiment

35S in Met and Cys of protein coat of bacteriophage --> Blend and centrifuge   --> Radioactive phage ghosts detected

34P in DNA of bacteriophage --> Blend and centrifuge --> Radioactive infected cells detected

Term
How does the structure of DNA help to explain its functions? (2 points)
Definition

1. Storing genetic information

Sequence of bases encodes genetic info-any sequence allowed = good store

Double helix = 2 copies-for accurate replication + repair mechanisms

 

2. Allowing replication of genetic information

Double helix unwinds, complementary base pairing = template for new bases

Term
How do we know that replication is semi-conservative? (1 experiment)
Definition

Meselson-Stahl experiment:

E. coli grown in 15N (DNA = heavy-heavy) -->Transferred to 14N --> Samples taken over  generations --> DNA spun in CsCl gradient to separate by density:

After 2 generations, 50% = hybrid (H-L) and 50% = new (L-L)


Replication uses 1 original strand and creates 1 new strand = semi-conservative

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