Term
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Definition
Plasmids are small non-essential DNA parts that are maintained in bacteria |
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Term
| What is the process of transformation in regards to microbiology? |
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Definition
Transformation refers to the process by which cells pick up DNA remnants from their surroundings |
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Term
| What is one of the most common features found in plasmids used in academic and research labs? |
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Definition
Antibiotic resistance. It is through this process that nearly entirely pure bacteria which have been made resistant to an antibiotic can be obtained through use of a plasmid. |
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Term
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Definition
Conjugation occurs when cells physically bind in some form in order to transfer DNA |
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Term
| What are conjunctive plasmids? |
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Definition
Conjunctive plasmids are plasmids which can use conjugation to transfer genetic material |
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Term
| How are non-conjuctive plasmids able to get around this inconvienence? |
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Definition
Sometimes they go through recombination so that they're affected to another chromosome which undergoes conjugation |
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Term
| What is a really important thing to note in regards to conjugation and the various plasmids involved? |
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Definition
| If you have a cell that is positive for the plasmid X, an X- cell that undergoes conjugation with that X+ cell will become X+ but that initial X+ cell will remain X+ |
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Term
| What is the exact definition of gene expression? |
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Definition
Gene expression is the decoding of RNA into RNA and proteins to determine an organism's phenotype |
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Term
| What is the last section of DNA that is encountered before the coding region? |
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Definition
The last section is called the promoter. It essentially initiates various DNA functions and happenings |
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Term
| What is the section of DN encountered right after the coding region? |
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Definition
This section is called the termination region. This region follows the "stop" codon and helps to terminate the amino acid producing process |
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Term
| What are RNA polymerases? |
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Definition
RNA polymerases are large, multisubunit complexes whose active form is called the RNA polymerase haloenzyme |
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Term
| What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA polymerase holoenzymes? |
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Definition
Proks have only one RNAPH which has only 6 polypeptide chains although euks have many more RNAPHs. |
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Term
| What are the steps to RNA transcription? |
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Definition
1. Promoter recognition (find the start of the gene), 2. Chain initiation (start transcribing), 3. Chain elongation (make the actual RNA molecule), 4. Chain termination (stop at the right place) |
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Term
| What is a TATA box and what is its function? |
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Definition
A TATA box is a T-A-T-A sequence along DNA which serve as the promoter for transcription. Normally transcription will begin about 10 base pairs away from the end of the last A nucleotide |
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Term
| What are the major differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic promoters? |
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Definition
Eukaryotic promoters are longer and more complex |
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Term
| In regards to chain initiation and elongation, where does the coding of the actual gene start? |
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Definition
The coding starts at the +1 site. The last A in the TAT box formation is considered the -10 spot in most cases |
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Term
| What was found in regards to the lacZ gene and the p- bacteria? |
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Definition
1. The lacZ gene encodes for the enzyme (beta)-galactosidase. 2. lac- mutants (p-) were isolated in E. coli. 3. P- mutants stopped activity of lacZ when in the same molecule. The conclusion was that the p- mutants affected the ability of the cell to turn on the lacZ gene |
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Term
| What the determines the direction of transcription? |
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Definition
The promoter at the beginning of each gene determines the direction of transcription |
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Term
| What is the primary transcript and how does it differ in prokaryotes and eukaryotes? |
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Definition
| The primary transcript is the initial |
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