Chapter 8, Problem 1P

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

In terms of the central dogma of molecular biology, explain:

1. The meaning of biological terminology, “gene”?

2. The reason behind genes for rRNA and tRNA is considered to be genes even though they do not produce polypeptides.

Introduction:

DNA is the genetic material present in all organisms. Gene is a unit of heredity that transfers from parents to offsprings. In other terms, it is a physical and functional unit of heredity.

Central dogma – It is the directional flow of information from DNA to RNA to Protein. The process of copying DNA information into RNA is called Transcription while the process of translating the message copied into proteins is called Translation.

Explanation of Solution

Central dogma – It is the flow of the formation of a functional product that includes copying of genetic material into RNA and then the translation of copied sequence into proteins.

1. A unit of heredity that is passed from one generation to the next generation or from parents to offsprings is called a gene.

   Genes instruct for a functional product or proteins according to the need of a cell. These proteins are joined together and form polypeptides. Genes that specify the polypeptides are called protein-coding genes.

2. Not all the genes specify polypeptides; some code for other molecules, too. Few genes instruct the production of RNA molecules like tRNA (Transfer RNA) and rRNA (Ribosomal RNA) that play crucial roles in the translation.

Conclusion

The gene is the structural and functional unit of DNA which transmit from one generation to the next generation. The gene contains necessary information for the formation of the specific protein.