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AP Bio Unit 6 Vocab
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Purines | nucleotides composed of double ring structures (A. G) |
Pyrimidines | nucleotides composed of single ring structures (C, U, T) |
Antiparallel | opposite orientations of the two strands of a DNA helix, 5' end aligns with 3' end |
Plasmids | small circular DNA molecules that are separate from chromosomes |
RNA | one of the two types of nucleic acid made by cells, composed of ribonucleic acid, and is single stranded |
DNA | another one of the two types of nucleic acid made by cells, contains genetic information, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid, and is double stranded |
Origins of replication | a sequence of DNA at which replication is initiated on a chromosomes, plasmid, or virus |
Replication fork | the point at which the two strands of DNA are separated to allow replication of each strand |
Helicase | the enzyme that unwinds DNA strands at each replication fork |
Topoisomerase | the enzyme that prevents strain ahead of the replication fork by relaxing super coiling |
Primase | the enzyme that initiates replication by adding short segments of RNA to the parental DNA strand |
Primers | short segments of RNA which are added to the parental DNA strand |
DNAP III | attaches to each primer on the parental strand and moves in the 3' to 5' direction |
DNAP I | replaces RNA nucleotides with DNA nucleoties |
Leading strand | a single DNA strand, that during DNA replication, is replicated in a 3' to 5' direction (same direction as the replication fork) |
Lagging strand | the strand of parental DNA that runs in the opposite direction which the replication fork opens |
Okazaki fragments | small sections of DNA that are formed during discontinuous synthesis of the lagging strand during DNA replication |
DNA ligase | joins the Okazaki fragments forming on a continuous DNA strand |
Telomeres | repeating unites of short nucleotide sequences that do not code for genes |
Telomerase | the enzyme that adds telomeres to DNA |
Nuclease | if segments of DNA are damaged, nuclease can remove segments of nucleotides |
Mismatch repair | fixes mis-paired bases right after DNA replication |
Transcription | the synthesis of RNA using information from DNA |
Gene expression | the process by which DNA directs the synthesis of proteins |
Template strand | the strand used by DNA polymerase or RNA polymerase to attach complementary bases during DNA replication or RNA transcription |
Codon | a sequence of three consecutive nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule that codes for a specific amino acid |
rRNA | helps form ribosomes |
tRNA | transfer molecules that are important in the process of translation, carry specific amino acid, and can attach to mRNA |
5' Cap | the 5' end of the pre-mRNA receives a modified guanine nucleotide cap |
Poly-A-Tail | the 3' end of the pre-mRNA receives 50-250 adenine nucleotides |
mRNA | messenger DNA, the copy of DNA information that is moved out of the nucleus to give instructions in the process of protein formation |
Redundancy | more than one codon can code for each amino acid |
Reading frame | the codons on the mRNA must be read in the correct groupings during translation to synthesize the correct proteins |
Alternative splicing | a cellular process in which exons from the same gene are joined in different combinations, leading to different, but related, mRNA |
RNA splicing | sections of the pre-mRNA, called introns, are removed and then exons are joined together |
Translation | the synthesis of a polypeptide using information from RNA |
Anticodon | a trinucleotide sequence located at the end of a tRNA molecule which is complementary to a corresponding codon in a mRNA sequence |
tRNA | transfer molecules that are important in the process of translation, carry specific amino acid, and can attach to mRNA |
Stop codon | sequence of three nucleotides in a DNA or messenger RNA that signals a halt to protein synthesis in the cell |
Operons | a group of genes that can be turned on and off |
Promoter | where RNA polymerase can attach |
Operator | the on/off switch |
Inducible | transcription is usually off by can be induced |
Cytoplasmic determinants | various molecules in the cytoplasm that contain genetic information or chemicals to spark various reactions |
Allosteric inhibitor | substrate binds to allosteric site and stabilizes the enzyme shape so that active sites are closed |
Regulatory gene | produces a repressor protein that binds to the operator to block RNA polymerase from transcribing the gene |
Allosteric activator | substate binds to allosteric site and stabilizes the shape of the enzyme so the active sites remain open |
Control elements | A segment of noncoding DNA that helps regulate transcription of a gene by binding a transcription factor |
Histone acetylation | adds acetyl groups to histones which loosens DNA |
DNA methylation | adds methyl groups to DNA (causes chromatin to condense) |
Epigenetic inheritance | chromatin modifications do not alter the nucleotide sequence of DNA but they can be heritable to future generations |
Gene | a piece of genetic information that codes for a certain trait |
Differentiation | cells become specialized in their structure and function |
Morphogenesis | the physical process that gives an organism its shape |
Repressible | they are on but can be turned off by a small molecule. |
Induction | cell to cell signals that can cause a change in gene expression |
Homeotic genes | map out body structures |
Apoptosis | programmed cell death |
Pattern formation | a "body plan" for the organism |
Mutations | changes in genetic material of a cell which can alter phenotypes |
Genotype | the organism's underlying genetic makeup (combination of alleles) |
Phenotype | an individual's observable traits |
Nondisjunction | when chromosomes do not separate properly in meiosis |
Translocation | a segment of one chromosome moves to another |
Inversion | segment is reversed |
Deletion | segment is lost |
Horizontal gene transfer | the introduction of genetic material from one species to another species by mechanisms other than the vertical transmission from parent(s) to offspring |
Transformation | uptaking DNA from a nearby cell |
Conjugation | cell to cell transfer of DNA |
Transposition | movement of DNA segments within and between DNA molecules |
Point mutation | change a single nucleotide pair of a gene |
Duplication | segment is replaced |
Transduction | viral transmissions of genetic material |
Substitution | the replacement of one nucleotide and its partner with another pair of nucleotides |
Gel electrophoresis | a technique used to separate DNA fragments by size |
PCR | a method used in molecular biology to make several copies of a specific DNA segment |
DNA sequencing | the process of determining the order of nucleotides in DNA |