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, to that of a twisted ladder. |
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 polymerase | enzymes that catalyzes the synthesis of a complementary strand of RNA from a DNA template. |
Messenger RNA (mRNA) | form 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 ribosomes to stop translation. |
Start codon | codon that signals to ribosomes to begin translation; codes for the first amino acid in a protein. |
Anti-codon | set of three nucleotides in tRna molecule that binds to a complementary mRNA codon during translation. |
Promoter | section of DNA to which RNA polymerase binds, starting the transcription of mRNA |
Operon | Section of DNA that contains all of the code to begin transcription, regulate transcription, and build a protein; includes a promotor, regulatory gene and structural gene. |
Exon | sequence of DNA that codes information for protein synthesis. |
Intron | segment of a gene that does not code for amino acid. |
Mutation | change in the DNA sequence |
Point mutation | mutation that involves a substitution of only one nucleotide |
Frameshift mutation | mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of nucleotide in the DNA sequence. |
Mutagen | agent that can induce or increase the frequency of mutation in organisms. |