Term | Definition |
Nucleotide | Monomer that forms DNA and has a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogen-containing base |
Double Helix | Model that compares the structure of a DNA molecule, in which two strands wind around one another |
Base pairing rules | Rule that describes how nucleotides form bonds in DNA; Adenine (A) always bonds with thymine (T) and guanine (G) always bonds with cytosine (C) |
Replication | Process by which DNA is copied |
DNA polymerase | Enzyme that makes bonds between nucleotides, forming an identical strand of DNA during replication |
central dogma | Theory that states that, in cells, information only flows from DNA to RNA to proteins |
RNA | Nucleic acid molecule that allows for the transmission of genetic information and protein synthesis |
Transcription | Process of copying a nucleotide sequence of DNA to form a complementary strand of mRNA |
RNA polmerase | Enzyme that catalyze the synthesis of a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template |
messenger RNA (mRNA) | From of RNA that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis |
ribosomal RNA (rRNA) | RNA that is in the ribosome and guides the translation of mRNA into a protein; also used as a molecular clock |
transfer RNA (tRNA) | Form of RNA that brings amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis |
Translation | Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced |
Codon | Sequence of three nucleotides that codes for one amino acid |
Stop codon | Codon that signals to ribosomes to stop translation |
Start codon | Codon that signals to ribosomes to begin translation; codes for the first amino acid in a protein. |
Anticodon | Set of three nucleotides in a tRNA molecule that binds to a complementary mRNA codon during translation |