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Audria Unit 6 vocab
DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis(
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Double helix | The shape of the DNA molecule; consists of TWO nucleotide chains that wrap around each other to form a double spiral |
| Nucleotides | Monomers that make up DNA and RNA; consists of a nitrogen base (A, C, T, U, or G), a sugar and a phosphate molecule |
| Adenine | Nitrogen base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with T or U |
| Guanine | Nitrogen base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with C |
| Cytosine | Nitrogen base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with G |
| Thymine | Nitrogen base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with A |
| Uracil | Nitrogen base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with T |
| Purines | Nitrogen bases that have a double ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms; Adenine and Guanine |
| Pyrimidines | Nitrogenous bases that have a single ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms; Adenine and Guanine |
| Complementary | Matching, as in complementary bases: A, matches T or U; C maters G |
| Semi-conservative replication | Specific type of replication in DNA that results in TWO, double stranded DNA molecules. Each new molecule has half of the original strand, and half that is a complementary |
| Hydrogen bonds | Weak attraction between molecules; hydrogen bonds hold the rungs of the DNA ladder together, but can be easily broken and reformed again |
| Helicase | Enzyme that unwinds and unzips DNA |
| Ligase | Enzyme that creates bonds between sugars and phosphates in a growing DNA or RNA strand as it is being built |
| DNA polymerase | Enzymes that can bind to a single (unwound and seperation) DNA strand, read it, and synthesize a new strand of complementary DNA; some are able to proofread their work |
| Protein synthesis | The formation of proteins using information coded on DNA and carried out by RNA in the ribosomes |
| Messenger RNA (or mRNA) | A single uncoiled strand of RNA that transmits information coded on DNA and carried out by RNA in the ribosomes |
| Transfer RNA (or tRNA) | A single folded stand of RNA that transmits information from DNA to the ribosomes during protein synthesis |
| Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) | A globular form of RNA that is the major constitution of the ribosomes |
| Transcrition | The prosses of forming a mRNA strand from a DNA strand in the nucleus |
| RNA polymerase | Enzyme used in protein synthesis (translation) read a DNA gene and copose a complementary mRNA strand |
| Codon | A 3-nucleotide mRNA sequence that that codes for one specific amino acid |
| Start codon | A coding sequence that signals the end of the gene to be transmitted |
| Stop codon | A coding sequence that signals the end of the gene to be transcribed |
| Translation | The formation of proteins in the cytoplasm using information coded on mRNA and carried out by the ribosome |
| Anticodon | One end of a tRNA molecule that contains a set of three nucleotids that will compliment codons on the mRNA during translation; has a site for specific amino acid on the opposite entation is any chhange in the DNA's letter (nitrogen base) sequence |
| Mutations | A mutation is any change in the DNA's letter (nitrogen base) sequence |
| Point mutation | A change in a single nitrogen base in DNA; may or may not cause a change in the acid depending on position of letter change |
| Frameshift mutation | Addition or deletion of a nitrogen base, causing a shift in codons so that the gene sequence in nonsense |
| Mutagen | Anything that causes a mutation |
| Human genome project | An international effort to determine all the base pairs of the human genome |
| DNA fingerprinting | Scientists utilize the genetic "fingerprints" where DNA is broken into pieces and examined for patterns |
| Gene therapy | Treats a genetic disorder by introducing a gene into a cell or b correcting a defect in a cell's genome |
| Genetic engineering | Used to identify genes for specific traits or to transfer genes |
| Recombinant DNA | A combination of DNA from two or more sources |
| Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) | Any organisms whose DNA has been modified by genetic engineering |
| Cloning | Refers to any of a number of biotechnologies that aim to reproduce a genetic copy of an entire organisms |