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Unit 6 vocab- mari
Unit 6 - Marianna
| 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 (A) | nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA ; pairs with T or U. |
| guanine (G) | nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA ; pairs with C |
| cytosine (C) | nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA ; pairs with G |
| thymine (T) | nitrogenous base found in DNA only ; pairs with A |
| uracil (U) | nitrogenous base found in DNA only ; pairs with T |
| purines | nitrogenous base that have a double ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms; Cytosine, Thymine and Uracil |
| pyrimidines | nitrogenous base that have a single ring of carbon and nitrogen atoms; Cytosine, Thymine and Uracil |
| complementary | matching , as in complementary bases: A, matches T or U ; C matches G |
| semi - conservative replication | specific type of replication in DNA that results in two, double stranded DNA molecules. Each new molecules has half of the original strand , and half that is a complimentary (newly built) strand |
| hydrogen bonds | weak attractions 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 strands as it is being built |
| DNA polymerase | enzymes that can bind to a single (unwound and separated ) DNA strand, read it , and synthesize a new strand of complementary DNA ; some are able to proofread their work. |
| protein synthesis | the formation coded on DNA and carried out by RNA in the ribosome |
| messenger RNA (or mRNA) | a single uncoiled strand of RNA that transmits information from DNA to the ribosomes during protein synthesis |
| transfer RNA (or tRNA) | a single folded strand of RNA that bonds with and carries a specific amino acid |
| ribosomal RNA (rRNA) | a globular form of RNA that is the major constituent of the ribosomes |
| transcription | the process 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 compose a complementary mRNA strand |
| codon | a 3- nucleotide mRNA sequence that codes for one specific amino acid |
| start codon | a coding sequence that signals the end of the gene to be transcribed |
| 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 nucleotides that will compliment codons on the mRNA during translation; has a site for a specific amino acid on the opposite end |
| mutations | a mutation is any change in the DNA 's letter (nitrogenous base) sequence |
| point mutation | a change in a single nitrogen base in DNA ; may or may not cause a change in the amino acid depending on position of letter changed |
| frameshift mutation | addition or deletion of a nitrogen base, causing a shift in codons so that the gene sequence is 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 by correction a defect in a cell's genome |
| genetic engineering | used to identify genes for specific traits or to transfer genes from one organism to another organism; Involves the making of recombinant DNA in a lab |
| recombinant DNA | a combination of DNA from two or more sources |
| genetically modified organism (GMOs) | any organism 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 organism |