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Chapter 2
An Introduction to Genes and Genomes
Lectures by Lara Dowland
Chapter Contents
2.1 A Review of Cell Structure 2.2 The Molecule of Life 2.3 Chromosome Structure, DNA Replication, and Genomes 2.4 RNA and Protein Synthesis 2.5 Mutations: Causes and Consequences
1928
Frederick Griffith
Two strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae Virulent smooth strain (S cells) and harmless rough strain (R cells) Demonstrated transformation the uptake of DNA by bacterial cells
The two strands are antiparallel because their polarity is reversed relative to each other
Mitosis
One cell divides to form two daughter cells, each with an identical copy of the parent cell DNA In order to accomplish this, the DNA of the parent cell must be copied prior to mitosis
Helicase enzyme breaks the hydrogen bonds holding the two DNA strands together; unzips DNA DNA binding proteins hold the strands apart Separation of strands occurs in regions called origins of replication
Primase enzyme adds RNA primers RNA primers start the replication process
RNA strand is called a messenger RNA (mRNA) Multiple copies of mRNA are transcribed from each gene during transcription
A series of modifications before primary transcripts are ready for protein synthesis
RNA splicing Polyadenylation Addition of a 5 cap
2. Elongation tRNAs, carrying the correct amino acid, enter the ribosome, one at a time, as the mRNA code is read 3. Termination ribosome encounters the stop codon
Newly formed protein is released
All cells of an organism contain the same genome, so how and why are skin cells different from brain cells or liver cells?
Because cells can regulate or control the genes they express
Can use operons to regulate gene expression in response to their nutrient requirements
lac operon
Types of Mutations
Point mutations Silent mutations Missense mutations Nonsense mutations Frameshift mutations