Week 1: Genetics intro

Most genes encode proteins. Explain how the structure and function of proteins produce an organism's traits

a

macromolecule

a large organic molecule composed of smaller building blocks. DNA, RNA, proteins, and large carbohydrates

Trait

a specific characteristic of an organism

loss-of-function allele

an allele of a gene that encodes an RNA or protein that is nonfunctional or compromised in function as a result of loss-of-function mutation

What are the 4 categories of macromolecules?

carbohydrates- composed of one or more sugar units lipids- cell membrane composed of large amount of lipid proteins- composed of one or more polypeptides nucleic acids- largest

morphs

contrasting forms within a single species

loss-of-function mutation

gene mutation that eliminates the function of a gene

nucleic acid

macromolecule containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus

morphological traits

physical characteristics of an organism

Avery used the enzyme _________ to remove the proteins from the cell extracts.

protease

Gene expression

the use of the genetic information to affect the characteristics of cells.

At the molecular level, what is a gene? Where are genes located?

A chromosome is a very long polymer of DNA. A gene is a specific sequence of DNA within that polymer; the sequence of bases creates a gene and distinguishes it from other genes. Genes are located in chromosomes, which are found within living cells.

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that produces a speceific product

A human skin cell has 46 chromosomes. A human sperm cell has: A. 23 B. 46 C. 92 D. None of the above

A. 23

If a carbohydrate was going to be broken down for energy, which if the following molecules would be directly involved in the breakdown? A. Catabolic enzymes B. Nucleotides C. Anabolic enzymes D. Lipids

A. Catabolic enzymes

The element that transformed the bacteria in Griffith's experiments was: A. DNA B. protein C. capsules D. heat

A. DNA

A person studying the rate of transcription of a particular gene is working in the field of A. molecular genetics B. transmission genetics C. population genetics D. None of the above

A. molecular genetics

Briefly explain how gene expression occurs at the molecular level.

At the molecular level, a gene (a sequence of DNA) is first transcribed into RNA. The genetic code within the RNA is used to synthesize a protein with a particular amino acid sequence. This second process is called translation.

The process of transcription directly results in the synthesis of A. DNA B. RNA C. a polypeptide D. all of the above

B. RNA

DNA is: A. a small molecule B. a macromolecule C. a organelle D. an organism

B. a macromolecule

The basic unit of heredity is the A. macromolecule B. gene C. trait D. individual

B. gene

The function of the genetic code is to A. promote transcription B. specify the amino acids within a polypeptide C. alter the sequence of DNA D. None of the above

B. specify the amino acids within a polypeptide

Evolutionary change caused by natural selection results in species with: A. Greater complexity B. Less complexity C. Greater reproductive success in their native environment D. The ability to survive longer

C. Greater reproductive success in their native environment

What is one of the criteria that all genetic material must meet? A. It does not contain the information necessary to construct the entire organism B. It must be passed from offspring to parent C. It must be able to be copied D. It must have a limited amount of variation

C. It must be able to be copied

Fredrick Griffith is responsible for discovering what process? A. Replication B. Transmission C. Transformation D. Transduction

C. Transformation

A gene is a segment of DNA that has the information to produce a functional product. The functional product of most genes is A. DNA B. mRNA C. a polypeptide D. all of the above

C. a polypeptide

Gene expression can be viewed at which of the following levels? A. Molecular and cellular levels B. Organism level C. Population D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Variation in the traits of organisms may be attributable to: A. Gene mutations B. Alterations in chromosome structure C. Variation in chromosome number D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which of the following is not a constituent of a cell's proteome? A. An enzyme B. A cytoskeletal protein C. A transport protein in the plasma membrane D. An mRNA

D. An mRNA

In the experiment of Avery, McLeod, and McCarty, the addition of RNase or protease to a DNA extract: A. prevented the conversion of type S bacteria into type R bacteria B. allowed the conversion of type S bacteria into type R bacteria C. prevented the conversion of type R bacteria into type S bacteria D. allowed the conversion of type R bacteria into type S bacteria

D. allowed the conversion of type R bacteria into type S bacteria

In order to transform to a virulent form of bacteria, non encapsulated bacteria must: A. divide B. infect a host C. be exposed to radioactive phosphorus D. be exposed to killed capsulated bacteria

D. be exposed to killed capsulated bacteria

Central Dogma

DNA -> RNA -> Protein

What is the difference between DNase and RNase?

DNase is an enzyme that cuts the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA and digest DNA. RNase is an enzyme that cuts the sugar-phosphate backbone in RNA

In Griffith's experiment, the mouse injected with capsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae survived, whereas the mouse injected with non-encapsulated S. pneumoniae died. True or False?

False

The building blocks of DNA are ________

Nucleotides

The process of transcription directly results in the synthesis of _____

RNA

Protein-encoding genes

Structural genes. Carry the information for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide

Proteome

The entire collection of proteins that a cell makes at a given time

Briefly explain the central dogma of genetics

The pathway of gene expression from DNA to RNA to protein is called central dogma of genetics.At the molecular level, a gene (a sequence of DNA) is first transcribed into mRNA. In the next step, protein is formed from the mRNA. This second process is called translation.

Gene expression

The process of using a gene sequence to affect the characteristics of cells and organisms

Gene expression involves the process of transcription and translation. True or false?

True

In the experiment of Avery, McLeod, and McCarty, the addition of DNase to the DNA extract of smooth encapsulated S. pneumoniae prevented the conversion of rough non-encapsulated S. pneumoniae into the smooth encapsulated bacteria. True or False?

True