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Unit 6- David Vargas
| 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 RNA only, pairs with A. |
| Purines | Nitrogenous 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, 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 molecule has half of the original strand, and half that is 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 strand 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 of proteins using information 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 DNA 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 copies 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 correcting 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 organisms (GMOs) | An 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. |