A first glance at molecules within the cell

Today we covered mainly material between pages 1 and 8 in the textbook. We talked about the universality of the hereditary information code (mostly DNA), what are its building blocks, how it replicates within the cell, it is transcribed into RNA, and how it is translated into proteins. In a few words, we went over how a gene is expressed.

We talked at a very basic level, and some of these topics will be revisited in the future and explored further.

On Monday (Sep 22): We'll talk about the secondary structure of RNA, some details of how it is translated into proteins, and what are some of the most common functions of such molecules.

We'll also talk about the implication of studying DNA at the genomic level (again, a very basic, introductory talk).

Reading material: Pages 15-24 of the textbook.

Today's quiz Q&As

1. What is templated polymerization?

The specific mechanism through which DNA replicates, using a strand of DNA as a template to the other

2. What are the two main processes that result in the synthesis of a protein that is encoded in the DNA?

Transcription and translation

3. What is a polypeptide?
A chain of amino acids (All proteins are polypeptides, not all polypeptides are proteins. Not to be confused with polynucleotide, a chain of nucleotides)

4. What is a codon?
A triplet of nucleotides that act as a coding unit for a specific amino acid, or as signals to start and stop the transcription of a gene

5. What is the main function of proteins in a cell?
They are mainly catalysts for a huge veriety of reactions.
(Yes, they are also the building blocks, and agents of cellular organelle repair, but most of them are catalysts of some sort)