Question | Answer |
genomics | the study of an organism's entire genome |
chromosome | a discrete cellular structure composed of neatly packaged DNA molecule |
gene | a segment of DNA the encodes for the RNA to make a proten |
genotype | the genetic makeup of an organism |
phenotype | the expression of the genotype to create traits |
replication | the process of duplicating DNA to pass on to offspring |
helicase | enzyme that unzips DNA |
primase | enzyme the synthesized an RNA primer |
DNA polymerase III | enzyme that adds new DNA bases in DNA replication |
ligase | enzyme that functions like molecular glue |
transcription | synthesizing an RNA molecule using DNA as the template |
translation | reading an RNA molecule to produce proteins |
codon | a triplet of nucleotides which encode for a particular amino acide |
intron | in eukaryotic cells the sequences of RNA that are removed when processing an mRNA molecule |
exon | in eukaryotic cells, the sequences of RNA that encode for the protein |
operon | in prokarotes, a set of genes that are regulated as a single unit |
conjugation | attachment of two related species to form a bridge using a pilus to transfer DNA. plasmid mediated |
transformation | the uptake of naked DNA by a competent cell |
transduction | the transfer of DNA mediated by the action of bacterial virus (bacteriophage) |
plasmid | extrachromosomal DNA that carry genes that are not required for cell growth but may confer an adaptive advantage such as antibiotic resistance |
bacteriophage | a virus that infects bacteria |
transposons | transposable elements or jumping genes, peices of DNA which can move from one part of the genome to another |
mutation | any change in the DNA sequence |
spontaneous mutation | a random change in the DNA that arises from errors in replication |
induced mutation | a mutation caused by exposure to a mutagen |
mutagen | physical or chemical agents which cause mutations |
point mutation | addition, deletion or substitution of a singe base |
missense mutation | point mutation that results in expression of different amino acid |
nonsense mutation | point mutation that result in a stop codon |
silent mutation | point mutation which does not change the amino acide |
frameshift mutation | insertions or deletions which shifts the reading frame of the mRNA |
inducible operon | an operon that is normally 'off' but can be switched on, example lac operon |
repressible operon | an operon that is normally 'on' but can be switched off when an excess of the product is available, example trp operon |