click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
UNIT 6
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Double helix | Shape of 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 phosphate molecule. |
| Adenine | Nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA: pairs with T or U |
| Guanine | Nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA: pairs with C |
| Cytosine | Nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA: pairs with G |
| Thymine | Nitrogenous base found in DNA only: pairs with A |
| Uracil | Nitrogenous base found in RNA only: pairs with T |
| 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 a complimentary (newly built) strand |
| Hydrogen bonds | Weak attractions between molecules; hydrogen bonds hold 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 in the ribosome |
| 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 sand 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 (or rRNA) | A globular form of RNA that is major constituent of the ribosomes |
| Transcription | The process of forming a mRNA strand from 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 sets signals the end of the gene to be transcribed |
| Stop Codon | a coding sequence that sets 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 stie for specific amino acid on the opposite side |
| Mutations | A mutation is any change int 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 in nonsense |
| Mutagen | anything that cause 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) | Any organism whose DNA was modified by genetic engineering |
| Cloning | refers to any of a number of biotechnologies that aim to reproduce a genetic copy of an entire organism |