What are the main structural differences between DNA and RNA?
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Covers DNA/RNA structure, synthesis, repair, and relevance to genetic diseases and molecular diagnostics.
Mastering this deck provides a solid understanding of genetic material's molecular biology, enabling accurate interpretation of genetic tests, understanding disease mechanisms, and applying molecular diagnostics in clinical practice.
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| # | Front | Back | Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What are the main structural differences between DNA and RNA? | DNA is double-stranded, has deoxyribose sugar, and contains thymine. RNA is single-stranded, has ribose sugar, and contains uracil instead of thymine. | Deoxy vs. ribose; thymine vs. uracil |
| 2 | What is the primary function of mRNA in the cell? | mRNA serves as a messenger that transmits genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes for protein synthesis. | Messenger of genetic info |
| 3 | Describe the structure of a nucleotide. | A nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base (purine or pyrimidine), a five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and one or more phosphate groups. | Base + sugar + phosphate |
| 4 | Which enzyme synthesizes DNA during replication? | DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA in the 5' to 3' direction by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand. | Polymerize DNA |
| 5 | What is the significance of the 3' and 5' ends of nucleic acids? | The 3' end has a free hydroxyl group; the 5' end has a phosphate group. DNA and RNA synthesis occurs in the 5' to 3' direction. | Directionality matters |
| 6 | What is the role of telomerase in DNA replication? | Telomerase extends the telomeres at the ends of linear chromosomes, preventing shortening during replication and contributing to cellular longevity. | Lengthen chromosome ends |
| 7 | Name a common DNA repair mechanism that corrects mismatched bases. | Mismatch repair system identifies and repairs incorrectly paired bases to maintain genetic fidelity. | Proofreading mismatch |
| 8 | Which process generates genetic diversity during meiosis involving recombination? | Crossing over involves the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, increasing genetic variability. | Chromosome swap |
| 9 | What is the central dogma of molecular biology? | The central dogma states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. | DNA → RNA → Protein |
| 10 | Define epigenetic modifications that affect gene expression without altering DNA sequence. | Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation and histone acetylation, which regulate gene expression by altering chromatin structure. | Gene regulation marks |
| 11 | What is the difference between spontaneous and induced mutations? | Spontaneous mutations occur naturally due to errors in DNA replication or repair, while induced mutations result from environmental factors like radiation or chemicals. | Natural vs. environmental |
| 12 | Name a genetic disease caused by defective DNA repair mechanisms. | Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome) involves mismatch repair defects. | Mismatch repair deficiency |
| 13 | What is the purpose of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)? | PCR amplifies specific DNA sequences exponentially, enabling detailed analysis and detection of genetic material. | DNA copier |
| 14 | Which enzyme is used to synthesize RNA from a DNA template during transcription? | RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA in the 5' to 3' direction using the DNA template strand. | Transcribe RNA |
| 15 | What are introns and exons? | Exons are coding sequences that remain in mature mRNA, whereas introns are non-coding sequences spliced out during mRNA processing. | Coding vs. non-coding |
| 16 | Describe the process of nucleotide excision repair. | Nucleotide excision repair detects and removes bulky DNA lesions (like thymine dimers), excising a short single-stranded DNA segment and filling it in with DNA polymerase. | Fix bulky damage |
| 17 | What is the significance of the genetic code being degenerate? | Degeneracy means that multiple codons can encode the same amino acid, reducing the impact of point mutations on protein function. | Redundant code |
| 18 | How do mutations contribute to genetic diversity and disease? | Mutations introduce variability, which can be beneficial or harmful; harmful mutations can lead to genetic diseases, while some drive evolution. | Variation & pathology |
| 19 | What is a common genetic diagnostic tool for detecting specific mutations? | Gene sequencing (e.g., Sanger sequencing or next-generation sequencing) is used to identify mutations within genes. | Gene reading |
| 20 | Which type of RNA is involved in the translation process at the ribosome? | tRNA (transfer RNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation, matching codons with anticodons. | Amino acid carrier |
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