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chapter 13 vocab
Biology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| RNA | single stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose |
| Messenger RNA | type of RNA that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell |
| Ribosomal RNA | type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes |
| Transfer RNA | type of RNA that carries each amino acid to a ribosome during protein synthesis |
| transcription | synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template |
| RNA polymerase | enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA nucleotides during transcription using a DNA strand as a template |
| Promoter | specific region of a gene where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription |
| Intron | sequence of DNA that is not involved in coding for a protein |
| Exon | expressed sequence of DNA ; codes for a protein |
| Polypeptide | long chain of amino acids that makes proteins |
| Genetic code | collection of codons of mRNA,each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid into a protein during protein synthesis |
| Codon | group of three nucleotide bases in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid to be incorporated into a protein |
| Translation | process by which the sequence of bases of an mRNA is converted into the sequence of amino acids of a protein |
| Anticodon | group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to the three bases of a codon of mRNA |
| Gene expression | process by which a gene produces its product and the product carries out its function |
| Mutation | change in the genetic material of a cell |
| Point mutation | gene mutation in which a single base pair in DNA has been changed |
| Frameshift mutation | mutation that shifts the "reading frame" of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide |
| Mutagen | chemical or physical agents in the environment that interact with DNA and may cause a mutation |
| Polyploidy | condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes |
| Operon | in prokaryotes, a group of adjacent genes that share a common operator and promoter and are transcribed into a single mRNA |
| Operator | short DNA region, adjacent to the promoter of a prokaryotic operon, that binds repressor proteins responsible for controlling the rate of transcription of the operon |
| RNA interference | introduction of double stranded RNA into a cell to inhabit gene expression |
| Differentiation | process in which cells become specialized in structure and function |
| Homeotic gene | a class of regulatory genes that determine the identity of body parts and regions in an animal embryo,Mutations in these genes can transform one body part into another |
| Homeobox gene | the homeobox gene is a DNA sequence of approximately 130 base pairs, found in many homeotic genes that regulate developement |
| Hox gene | a group of homeotic genes clustered together that determine the head to tail identity of body parts in animals. All hox genes contain the homeobox DNA sequence. |