Mechanisms of Microbial Genetics (Microbiology)

Recall cards on the mechanisms of microbial genetics. The functions of genetic material and the stages of replication, transcription, and translation. DNA replication: semiconservative replication and the Meselson-Stahl experiment, the origin oriC, the replication enzymes (DNA polymerases III and I, helicase, primase, ligase, topoisomerases, single-stranded binding proteins, and the sliding clamp), leading and lagging strands, Okazaki fragments, replication rates, and telomeres and telomerase. RNA transcription: template and sense strands, bacterial RNA polymerase and the sigma factor, promoters and the TATA box, and the processing of eukaryotic pre-mRNA (5' cap, poly-A tail, and splicing of exons and introns). Protein synthesis: the genetic code and its degeneracy, codons and anticodons, transfer RNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes, the A, P, and E sites, and initiation, elongation, and termination. Mutations: point, silent, missense, nonsense, and frameshift mutations, mutagens, DNA repair, and the Ames test. Horizontal gene transfer: transformation, transduction, and conjugation, transposons, and R plasmids. And gene regulation: operons, repressors and activators, and the lac and trp operons, attenuation, regulons, alarmones, and riboswitches.