Transcript File
Cellular Control revision lesson 1
Section 1 – 7 in textbook
Key topics:
- DNA Transcription Translation
- Mutations
- The Lac operon
- Genes and body plans (Hox genes)
- Apoptosis
Structure of DNA – pg 104
Adenine = Thymine (2 Hydrogen
bonds)
Cytosine = Guanine (3 Hydrogen
bonds)
Deoxyribose sugar and phosphate
backbone.
Pyrimadines: Single ring. C and T
Purines: Double ring. A and G
The genetic code
• A group of 3 bases codes for one amino acid. This is a base
triplet
• Only one strand of DNA codes for proteins = reference
strand
• Gene – a length of DNA that codes of one polypeptide.
A A T
Codes for…
Leucine
Protein Synthesis – Transcription –pg 105
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Hydrogen bonds between bases broken by DNA Helicase – DNA
unzips
Free nucleotides diffuse into position with exposed bases on
reference strand, using complemetary base pairing.
Condensation reactions catalysed by RNA polymerase creates
mRNA.
mRNA molecule breaks free from DNA and leaves the nucleus
through a nuclear pore. Arrives in the cytoplasm and moves to a
ribosome.
Protein Synthesis – Translation – pg 106
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tRNA molecules are used – have a series of 3 bases called
an anti-codon
In the cytoplasm, tRNA transferases load AAs onto specific
tRNA molecules, depending on their anti-codon.
In the ribosome, there is complementary base pairing
between codons and anti-codons.
Another tRNA molecule approaches and joins.
A condensation reaction forms a peptide bond between
the 2 AAs.
The mRNA moves, and the first tRNA leaves
Another amino acid is brought in.
A chain of AA’s continues to be built up until a stop codon
is reached on the mRNA.
Chain of
Amino acids
(polypeptide)
Petide bond
Anti-codon
Codon/
base triplet
Ribosome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41_Ne5mS2ls
Mutations – pg 108
• Mutation = an unpredictable change in the structure of DNA,
or the structure or number of chromosomes.
Types of mutations:
Substitution – swapping one base for another. Often has no
effect because DNA code is degenerate (one AA is coded for
by more than one base triplet)
Deletion – Loss of one base pair. Causes a frame shift, so all
the following base triplets are disrupted.
Insertion – The addition of a new pair of bases. Also causes a
frame shift.
Germline mutations – Mutation in gamete, so can cause genetic
diseases and are passed on.
Somatic mutations – Not inherited but can cause ageing and
cancer. They are as a result of mutations in normal diploid
cells.
Sickle cell anaemia
Causes: Mutation in Haemoglobin beta gene, where a T is substituted for
an A (a point mutation on codon 6)
Normally Gleucine is present, but Valine is instead. Tertiary structure
of haemoglobin changed because Gleu is hydrophilic, but Val is
hydrophobic.
Symptoms: Some erythrocytes pulled out of bi-concave shape and become
sickle-shaped. This means they cannot carry enough oxygen. Also, the
sickle shaped erythrocytes can easily get stuck in blood capillaries and
block them. Causes ‘sickle cell crisis’
The Lac Operon – pg 112
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Genes responsible for lactose digestion and their
regulation.
Physical presence of lactose results in transcription of
genes to produce lactose permease and Beta-galactosidase.
A regulatory gene produces a repressor protein. When no
lactose is present, it joins with the operator region.
RNA polymerase joins to the promoter region. If the
repressor protein is attached to the operator region, the
RNA polymerase cannot move further along and transcript
structural genes to produce enzymes for lactose digestion.
If lactose is present, it binds with the repressor protein
and causes a conformational change, so the repressor
protein can’t bind with the operator region.
RNA polymerase can travel along and the enzymes for
lactose digestion can be produced.
Produces repressor
proteins
RNA polymerase
binds to promoter
region
Repressor protein binds
to operator region
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBwtxdI1zvk
Homeobox genes – pg 115
• Homeobox genes are genes whose activity switches a whole set
of other genes on or off, affecting an organsim’s body plan
(overall design of an organism’s body).
• They are found in clusters called hox clusters
• Most animals have very similar homeobox genes.
• Genes are highly conserved (have not evolved much)
• Code for production of transcription factors. These can bind to
certain sections of DNA and cause it to be transcribed.
• Thalidomide disrupted the homeobox genes in developing
foetuses, so arms and legs did not develop properly.
Drosophilia Fruit fly body plan pg 114
Maternal effect genes – determine embryo
polarity (which end head, which end tail)
Segmentation genes – specifiy polarity of
each segment (which part of head is brain
which part is mouth piece)
Mutation Example 1:
•Has a homeobox gene called Ubx, which
prevents formation of wings in T3 ( a part of
the body).
•Mutation in both forms of Ubx = wings grow
in T3
•Fruit fly has two sets of wings – cannot fly
Mutation Example 1
•Antennapedia – where the antennae look
more like legs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFG-aLidT8s
Apoptosis – pg 116
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Apoptosis – Programmed cell death involved in development.
Eg. Tail of tadpole falls off as it changes into a frog.
Metamorphosis – a major change in the structure of an
organism as it changes from one stage of its life cycle to the
next.
In humans, apoptosis kills off tissue linking fingers to prevent
webbness.
Cytoskeleton broken down by enzymes.
The cell shrinks, the membrane blebs and the nucleus starts
to disintegrate. Chromatin condenses.
Cell fragments made with plasma membranes and contain
organelles.
Cell fragments are ingested and digested by phagocytic cells
eg. WBCs.