DNA Flashcards

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.

DNA is composed of two long strands that coil around each other to form a double helix, resembling a twisted ladder.

Nucleotides are the simpler molecules that make up each strand of DNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

The nitrogenous bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine, forming base pairs.

DNA is found in the cell nucleus of eukaryotic organisms.

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a crucial molecule involved in various biological roles, primarily related to the synthesis of proteins.

RNA is typically single-stranded, contains the sugar ribose, and uses uracil instead of thymine, which is found in DNA.

mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

tRNA, or transfer RNA, translates the genetic code from mRNA into a specific sequence of amino acids to form a protein.

rRNA stands for ribosomal RNA, which is a critical component of ribosomes responsible for synthesizing proteins.

Ribosomes are complex molecular machines that read the sequence of mRNA and translate it into a specific sequence of amino acids.

Eukaryotic organisms have cells with a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic organisms lack a defined nucleus.

James Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, and Maurice Wilkins were key scientists in the discovery of the DNA double helix structure.

The Human Genome Project was an international scientific research initiative aimed at mapping and understanding all the genes of the human species.

Ethical concerns include privacy issues, potential genetic discrimination, and the commercialization of genetic research.

Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction images were crucial in revealing the helical structure of DNA, contributing significantly to the discovery of its structure.

DNA polymerase is the enzyme that replicates DNA by building new strands and has proofreading ability to ensure accurate replication.

The leading strand is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction, while the lagging strand is synthesized in short segments called Okazaki fragments.

Helicase is the enzyme that unzips the DNA strands, separating them to allow for replication.

The Human Genome Project has paved the way for personalized medicine by allowing treatments to be tailored to an individual's genetic makeup.

The ELSI program addresses the societal impacts of genomic research, ensuring that the benefits of genomic discoveries are accessible and equitable.

The Human Genome Project has facilitated the development of pharmacogenomics, optimizing drug efficacy and minimizing adverse effects based on genetic profiles.