Download Molecular Genetics

• Chapters 9 and 10
Biology: DNA, Transcription,
Translation, and Protein
Synthesis
Chapters 9 and 10
• Sections 9.1 and 9.2 (whole chapter)
• Section 10.1
• 10.2 covers mutations, which we will talk
about a little bit with the other information in
the chapter. You will be responsible for the
information on mutations covered in the slide
presentation – not the text.
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
Griffith
 Performed the first major experiment that led to
the discovery of DNA as the genetic material
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
Avery
 Identified the molecule that transformed the
R strain of bacteria into the S strain
 Concluded that when the S cells were killed,
DNA was released
 R bacteria incorporated this DNA into their
cells and changed into S cells.
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
Hershey and Chase
 Used radioactive labeling to
trace the DNA and protein
 Concluded that the viral
DNA was injected into the
cell and provided the
genetic information needed
to produce new viruses
Molecular Genetics
DNA Facts
• The simplest known virus has 5000 paired
bases in its DNA.
• A single human cell carries about 6.6 billion
base pairs in its nuclear DNA.
– This is enough information to fill up 600,000
printed pages of 500 words each.
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
DNA Structure
 Nucleotides
 Consist of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate
group, and a nitrogenous base
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
Chargaff
 Chargaff’s rule:
C = G and T = A
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
Watson and Crick – indicated DNA was a
double helix
 Built a model of the double helix that
conformed to the others’ research
1. two outside strands consist of alternating
deoxyribose and phosphate
2. cytosine and guanine bases pair to each
other by three hydrogen bonds
3. thymine and adenine bases pair to each
other by two hydrogen bonds
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
DNA Structure
 DNA often is compared to a twisted ladder.
 Rails of the ladder are represented by the
alternating deoxyribose and phosphate.
 The pairs of bases (cytosine–guanine or
thymine–adenine) form the steps.
Molecular Genetics
DNA: The Genetic Material
Orientation
 On the top rail, the strand is said to be oriented 5′ to 3′.
 The strand on the bottom runs in the opposite
direction and is oriented 3′ to 5′.
Molecular Genetics
Replication of DNA
Semiconservative Replication
 Parental strands of
DNA separate, serve
as templates, and
produce DNA
molecules that have
one strand of
parental DNA and
one strand of new DNA.
DNA Replication Clip
Molecular Genetics
Replication of DNA
Unwinding
 DNA helicase, an enzyme, is responsible for
unwinding and unzipping the double helix.
 RNA primase adds a short segment of RNA,
called an RNA primer, on each DNA strand.
Molecular Genetics
Replication of DNA
Base pairing
 DNA polymerase continues adding appropriate
nucleotides to the chain by adding to the 3′ end
of the new DNA strand.
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Genetics
Replication of DNA
 One strand is called the leading strand
and is elongated as the DNA unwinds.
 The other strand of DNA, called the
lagging strand, elongates away from
the replication fork.
Molecular Genetics
Replication of DNA
Joining
 DNA polymerase removes the RNA primer
and fills in the place with DNA nucleotides.
 DNA ligase links the two sections.
Molecular Genetics
Replication of DNA
Comparing DNA Replication in Eukaryotes
and Prokaryotes
 Eukaryotic DNA unwinds in multiple areas
as DNA is replicated.
 In prokaryotes, the circular DNA strand is
opened at one origin of replication.
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
Central Dogma
 RNA
 Contains the sugar ribose and the
base uracil
 Usually is single stranded
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
 Long strands of RNA nucleotides that are
formed complementary to one strand of DNA
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
 Associates with proteins to form ribosomes
in the cytoplasm
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
 Smaller segments of RNA nucleotides that
transport amino acids to the ribosome
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
Transcription
 Through transcription,
the DNA code is
transferred to mRNA
in the nucleus.
 DNA is unzipped in
the nucleus and RNA
polymerase binds to a specific section where an
mRNA will be synthesized.
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
RNA Processing
 The code on the DNA is interrupted
periodically by sequences that are not in the
final mRNA.
 Intervening sequences are called introns.
 Remaining pieces of DNA that serve as the
coding sequences are called exons.
DNA and
Genes
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
The Code
 Experiments during the 1960s demonstrated
that the DNA code was a three-base code.
 The three-base code in DNA or mRNA is
called a codon.
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
Translation
 In translation, tRNA
molecules act as the
interpreters of the mRNA
codon sequence.
 At the middle of the folded
strand, there is a three-base
coding sequence called the
anticodon.
 Each anticodon is
complementary to a codon
on the mRNA.
Molecular Genetics
DNA, RNA, and Protein
Visualizing
Transcription
and Translation
RNA, Transcription, Translation
The Genetic Code
Molecular Genetics
Gene Regulation and Mutation
Eukaryote Gene Regulation
 Controlling transcription
 Transcription factors ensure that a gene
is used at the right time and that proteins
are made in the right amounts
 The complex structure of eukaryotic DNA
also regulates transcription.
Molecular Genetics
Gene Regulation and Mutation
Mutations
 A permanent change that occurs in a cell’s
DNA is called a mutation.
 Types of mutations
 Point mutation
 Insertion
 Deletion
Molecular Genetics
Gene Regulation and Mutation
Molecular Genetics
Gene Regulation and Mutation
Protein Folding and Stability
 Substitutions also can lead to genetic
disorders.
 Can change both the folding and stability
of the protein
Molecular Genetics
Gene Regulation and Mutation
Causes of Mutation
 Can occur spontaneously
 Chemicals and radiation also can
damage DNA.
 High-energy forms of radiation, such as X rays
and gamma rays, are highly mutagenic.