Molecular Genetics — Flashcards

Flashcard 41: What is the function of molecular motor proteins?

Answer: Transport cellular cargo (e.g., vesicles, organelles) along microtubules (Dynein: retrograde; Kinesin: anterograde)

Flashcard 42: What are microtubules composed of?

Answer: polymerized heterodimers of α- and β-tubulin

Flashcard 43: What enzyme converts ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides?

Answer: ribonucleotide reductase

Flashcard 44: Which are synthesized first: ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides?

Answer: Ribonucleotides, which may then be converted to deoxyribonucleotides.

Flashcard 45: Identify the nitrogenous base: (Single-ring pyrimidine with an amino group at C4 and a carbonyl group at C2)

Answer: Cytosine

Extra: Cytosine is a pyrimidine base that pairs with guanine. Its structure is 4-amino-2-hydroxypyrimidine (or 4-amino-2-oxopyrimidine).

Flashcard 46: What is the function of telomerase in DNA replication?

Answer: Adds DNA to 3' end of chromosomes to prevent loss of  genetic material with every round of replication

Flashcard 47: Give the pyrimidines in nucleic acids.

Answer: Cytosine, Uracil (RNA), Thymine (DNA) mnemonic: CUT the Py

Flashcard 48: What process converts cytosine to uracil?

Answer: deamination

Flashcard 49: Deamination of what nucleotide produces what other nucleotide?

Answer: cytosine to uracil

Flashcard 50: Which nucleic acid base pairs are strongest? Why?

Answer: C-G - strong - 3 hydrogen bonds A-T - weak - 2 hydrogen bonds