Microbiology Exam 2 Study Guide

Front

What are transposons?

Back

Transposons, also known as jumping genes, are segments of DNA that can move from one location to another within a genome, facilitating genetic diversity and evolution.

Front

What are ribosomes made of?

Back

Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins, playing a crucial role in protein synthesis.

Front

What are the components of an operon?

Back

An operon consists of structural genes, an operator, and a promoter. The regulator is not part of the operon.

Front

What are psychrophiles?

Back

Psychrophiles are microorganisms that thrive in low temperatures, typically below 15°C.

Front

What is the function of RNA polymerase in the lac operon?

Back

RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of the lac operon to initiate transcription of the structural genes when lactose is present.

Front

Define plasmids.

Back

Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA and often carry genes for antibiotic resistance.

Front

What is the role of the repressor protein in the lac operon?

Back

The repressor protein binds to the operator region of the lac operon, inhibiting transcription when lactose is absent.

Front

What is the significance of the promoter in gene expression?

Back

The promoter is a DNA sequence that initiates transcription of a gene by providing a binding site for RNA polymerase.

Front

What are structural genes?

Back

Structural genes are segments of DNA that code for proteins, which perform various functions in the cell.

Front

What is the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes?

Back

Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger (80S) and more complex than prokaryotic ribosomes (70S), reflecting differences in their structure and function.