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Chapter 13 Vocab
| 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 inhibit 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 is a DNA sequence of approximately 130 base pairs, found in many homeotic genes that regulate development. Genes containing this sequence are known as homeobox genes, and they code for transcription factors, proteins that bind to DNA, and the |
| Hox Gene | A group of homeotic genes clustered together that determine the head to tail identity of body parts in animals. All hot genes contain the homeobox DNA sequence. |