What are introns and exons? also what is a peptidoglycan( i hope i spelled that right)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peptidoglycan
thanks the peptidoglycan is pretty clear. but, do you think you could explain the difference between an exon and intron?? in more simple terms
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intron
In molecular biology, introns and exons are crucial components of genes in eukaryotic organisms. Eukaryotic genes are composed of both coding and non-coding regions. Here's an explanation of introns, exons, and peptidoglycan:
1. Introns: Introns are non-coding segments of DNA or RNA within a gene. They are transcribed into precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) but are removed during a process called splicing before the mRNA is translated into a protein. Introns were initially considered as "junk" or non-functional DNA; however, it is now understood that they play important roles in gene regulation, evolution, and alternative splicing.
To understand the presence of introns in a given gene, you can use online resources like the Ensembl or NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) databases. Searching for the specific gene in these databases will provide you with its structure, including intron and exon locations.
2. Exons: Exons are the coding segments of DNA or RNA within a gene that contain the information for protein synthesis. They are the regions of DNA or RNA that remain after introns are spliced out during mRNA processing. Exons are responsible for encoding the amino acid sequence of a protein.
Similar to searching for introns, using databases like Ensembl or NCBI will help you visualize the organization of exons within a gene. You can also use gene prediction algorithms, such as GENSCAN, to predict exons based on DNA sequences.
3. Peptidoglycan: Peptidoglycan is a structural component of the cell wall in bacteria. It forms a mesh-like structure, providing strength and rigidity to the bacterial cell wall. Peptidoglycan is composed of repeating sugar units (glycan chains) cross-linked by short peptides.
To properly spell "peptidoglycan," you got it right! It refers to the polysaccharide structure found in bacterial cell walls. For more detailed information on the structure and function of peptidoglycan, you can refer to scientific literature or browse reputable websites like NCBI's Bookshelf or Britannica.
Remember, using online databases and scientific resources can help you explore specific genes, their introns, exons, or detailed molecular structures like peptidoglycan.