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chapter 6
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Central dogma of molecular biology | doctrine that genetic instructions in DNA are copied by RNA, which carries them to a ribosome where they are used to synthesize a protein (DNA → RNA → protein) |
| Chargaff's rules | observations by Erwin Chargaff that concentrations of the four nucleotide bases differ among specie |
| Messenger RNa | type of RNA that copies genetic instructions from DNA in the nucleus and carries them to the cytoplasm |
| Ribosomal RNA | type of RNA that helps form ribosome and assemble proteins |
| Transfer RNA | crop that has been genetically modified with new genes that code for traits useful to humans |
| Codon | group of three nitrogen bases in nucleic acids that makes up a code “word” of the genetic code and stands for an amino acid, start, or stop |
| Genetic code | universal code of three-base codons that encodes the genetic instructions for the amino acid sequence of proteins |
| Promoter | region of a gene where a RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription of the gene |
| Protein synthesis | process in which cells make proteins that includes transcription of DNA and translation of mRNA |
| Transcription | process in which genetic instructions in DNA are copied to form a complementary strand of mRNA |
| Translation | process in which genetic instructions in mRNA are “read” to synthesize a protein |
| Chromosomal alteration | mutation that changes chromosome structure |
| Frameshift mutation | deletion or insertion of one or more nucletides that changes the reading frame of the genetic material |
| Genetic disorder | disease caused by a mutation in one or a few genes |