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Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic engineering Learning aim A: Understand the structure and function of nucleic acids in order to describe gene expression and the process of protein synthesis£9.99
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Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic engineering Learning aim A: Understand the structure and function of nucleic acids in order to describe gene expression and the process of protein synthesis
This assignment got a distinction grade and my final grade for the course was D*D*D. I only upload the work I got D grades for.
A.D1 Assess the impact of error in the stages of protein synthesis.
A.M1 Discuss the functional role of nucleic acids in DNA in the stages of protein
synthesis.
A.P1 E...
UNIT 11: Genetics and genetic engineering
Learning aim, A: Understand the structure and function of nucleic acids in order to describe gene
expression and the process of protein synthesis
Structure and function of nucleic acid
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
DNA is consisting of 2 long polynucleotide chains composed of four types of nucleotide subunits.
These are known as DNA strands/chains. Each nucleotide has a sugar group, a phosphate group and
a nitrogen base. There are four groups of nitrogen bases: thymine, adenine, cytosine, and guanine (T
nucleotide, A nucleotide, G nucleotide, C nucleotide). Adenine and guanine are purines because
they have a two-ring structure while cytosine and thymine have one ring structure. All of these
nucleotides are made by joining a nucleobase and a phosphate group to a sugar. The sugar in all 4 of
them is called deoxyribose, most of its atoms are arranged in a cycle/ring-like structure. This ring has
four carbons and one oxygen, with a fifth carbon atom being attached to the 4th carbon in the ring,
it also has a -OH group attached to the 3rd carbon in the ring. These nucleotides are attached to
form two long strands that create a long structure called a double helix. Hydrogen bonds between
the bases in the nucleotides hold the two chains together. The link between the nucleotides through
sugars and phosphates forms a backbone of repeating sugar-phosphate-sugar-phosphate. Here
sugar and base are joined together by a glycosidic bond, and the phosphates and sugar bond with an
ester bond.
The 3d structure of DNA (the double helix) arises from the structural and chemical features of its 2
polynucleotide chains. Because the chains are held by hydrogen bonds between the bases, all of the
bases are on the inside of the double helix and the sugar-phosphate backbones are outside.
The chemical structure and shape of the bases allow hydrogen bonds to form only between G and C
and A and T. Between A and T, 2 hydrogen bonds are formed and between G and C, 3 hydrogen
bonds are formed.
, Our DNA contains information that provides instructions that our cells use to make protein. Protein
is 1 or more polymers of monomers called amino acids. Proteins are the engines in our cells. They
act as hormones, structural support enzymes and hosts of other functional molecules. Proteins are
very important as they determine the characteristics of an organism of specialized cells. DNA
encodes the sequence of amino acids using the genetic code to produce protein. It also carries the
genetic information in the cell for the development of living organisms.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
RNA unlike DNA is single-stranded. They are genetic messengers and builders of our cellular world.
The nucleotides in RNA contain ribose. In RNA nucleotides are joined by a strong covalent bond
between the sugar of one nucleotide and the phosphate of the next. RNA has a base called uracil
which replaces the thymine base of DNA. Cells get the information stored in DNA by creating RNA to
direct the synthesis of proteins through the process of translation. There are 4 types of RNA involved
in protein synthesis:
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Messenger RNA is a short, unstable and single-stranded RNA that corresponds to a gene that is
encoded within DNA. It functions as a mediator between protein and DNA. It transfers the genetic
elements into the ribosomes and passes the instructions about the type of proteins required by the
cells. In short, it carries genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes where protein synthesis
happens. Every group of triplets is called a codon because each one codes for an amino acid.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
rRNA has a sphere-like shape and is where protein synthesis takes place. It associates with proteins
and forms ribosomes. They are located within the cytoplasm of a cell, in which ribosomes are
located. It ensures the correct alignment of tRNA, ribosomes and mRNA during protein synthesis. It
also acts as an enzyme by helping in speeding up chemical reactions, catalyzing peptide bond
formation between amino acids.
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
This type of RNA has 3 hairpin loops that form a cloverleaf shape and is made from a single strand
that folds because of a base-pairing that forms its unusual shape. It contains an mRNA binding site
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