v Introduction to Molecular Biology Crash Course 1

v. Introduction to Molecular Biology Crash Course!

1 chromosome = 1 DNA molecule

Major Functions- DNA v Stores genetic information! v Expresses genetic information when needed. v Replicates. v Doesn’t do any other important cellular functions.

Major Functions- RNA v Middle Man. v DNA’s messenger boy. v Part-time building material.

Most of a cell (excluding the water) is protein. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? ?

Major Functions- Proteins v They execute nearly all cell functions. v They are a major building material. v They are enzymes, motors, receptors, hormones, antibodies, cables, etc.

Central Dogma

What is a gene? v A gene is a stretch of DNA that contains the information to produce a particular product (usually a protein).

A gene produces a particular product (usually a protein). Transfer RNA (t. RNA) Ribosomal RNA (r. RNA) Messenger RNA (m. RNA) PROTEIN

Transcription: The enzyme RNA polymerase unwinds and copies:

The m. RNA and the DNA are base-pairing. One strand is involved in transcription.

Next- Translation v How an m. RNA produces a protein

DNA Transcription Cell Cytoplasm m. RNA Nucleus Translation Polypeptide Fig. 9 -3, p. 214

The genetic code is a triplet code.

Transfer RNA

Met

How many different codons are there? ?

Eukaryotic Gene Structure

Eukaryotic gene detail:

What is a mutation?

Explain why this mutation is different. It is a synonymous mutation.

SNPs are not mutations. v Mutations are rare. Mutations are random. v SNPs are ancient differences and common. Almost all common SNPs have only two alleles. Many SNPs lie in the intergenic regions (between the genes) or in introns.

Is the study of SNPs important? v SNPs may influence your susceptibility to a wide variety of diseases. v At least that is what some people think!

The End