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Biochemistry 15 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Prepared and presented by Marc Imhotep Cray, M.D.


Basic Medical Sciences & CK Teacher

Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis


Reference resources: Nucleic acid - Wikipedia Protein biosynthesis - Wikipedia
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Summary

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Components of Nucleic Acids. Nucleic acids are classified into two categories: ribonucleic acids (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). Both types are polymers made up on monomers called nucleotides. All nucleotides are composed of a pyrimidine or purine base, a sugar, and phosphate. The sugar component of RNA is ribose, and that of DNA is deoxyribose. The bases adenine, guanine, and cytosine are found in all nucleic acids. Uracil is found only in RNA and thymine only in DNA. Structure of DNA. The nucleotides of DNA are joined by linkages between phosphate groups and sugars. The resulting sugarphosphate backbone is the same for all DNA molecules, but the order of attached bases along the backbone varies. This order of nucleotides with attached bases is the primary structure of nucleic acids. The secondary structure is a double stranded helix held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs on the strands.

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Replication of DNA. Replication of DNA occurs when a double strand of DNA unwinds at specific points. The exposed bases match up with complementary bases of nucleotides. The nucleotides bind together to form two new strands that are complementary to the strands that separated. Thus, the two new DNA molecules each contain one old strand and one new strand.
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Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). Three forms of ribonucleic acid are found in cells: messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA. Each form serves an important function during protein synthesis. All RNA molecules are singlestranded, but some contain loops or folds. The Flow of Genetic Information. The flow of genetic information occurs in two steps called transcription and translation. In transcription, information stored in DNA molecules is passed to molecules of messenger RNA. In translation, the messenger RNA serves as a template that directs the assembly of amino acids into proteins.

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Transcription: RNA Synthesis. The various RNAs are synthesized in much the same way as DNA is replicated. Nucleotides with complementary bases align themselves against one strand of a partially unwound DNA segment that contains the genetic information that is to be transcribed. The aligned nucleotides bond together to form the RNA. In eucaryotic cells, the produced RNA is heterogeneous and is cut and spliced after being synthesized to produce the functional RNA. The Genetic Code. The genetic code is a series of three-letter words that represent the amino acids of proteins as well as start and stop signals for protein synthesis. The letters of the words are the bases found on mRNA and are called codons. The genetic code is the same for all organisms and is degenerate for most amino acids.

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Translation and Protein Synthesis. The translation step in the flow of genetic information results in the synthesis of proteins. The synthesis takes place when properly coded mRNA forms a complex with the component of a ribosome. Transfer RNA molecules carrying amino acids align themselves along the mRNA in an order representing the correct primary structure of the protein. The order is determined by the matching of complementary codons on the mRNA to anticodons on the tRNA. The amino acids sequentially bond together to form the protein, which then spontaneously forms characteristic secondary and tertiary structures. Mutations. Any change that results in an incorrect sequence of bases on DNA is called a mutation. Some mutations occur naturally during DNA replication whereas others are induced by environmental factors. Some mutations are beneficial to organisms; others may be lethal or result in genetic diseases.

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Recombinant DNA. The discovery and application of restriction enzymes and DNA ligases have resulted in a technology called genetic engineering. The primary activities of genetic engineers are the isolation of genes (DNA) that code for specific useful proteins and the introduction of these genes into the DNA of bacteria. The new (recombinant) DNA in the rapidly reproducing bacteria mediate production of the useful protein that is then isolated for use.
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Formative Assessment

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A nucleotide represents a combination of a(n): base and sugar base, sugar and phosphate two DNA strands DNA-RNA complex

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base, sugar and phosphate

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What is the complementary sequence (3' -> 5') to the DNA segment CAT? ATG TAA AGG GTA

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GTA

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Which material comprises most of the RNA in the cell? DNA rRNA tRNA mRNA

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rRNA

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Which material contains the codon? protein rRNA tRNA mRNA

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mRNA

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Which could be considered a potential source of genetic mutation? UV light formaldehyde cosmic rays mustard gas all of the above

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all of the above

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In a diploid organism, a gene exists as a pair of: factors alleles traits genotypes phenotypes

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alleles

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Thank you for your attention

The end

Further Study: Biochemistry and Cell Biology College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University - Biochemistry Online Indiana University - Medical Biochemistry Page MIT - Biology Hypertextbook NLM - Biochemistry NLM - Molecular Cell Biology University of Utah - NetBiochem

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