Term | Definition |
Who created the description of DNA? | James Watson and Francis Crick |
What are the importance of DNA? | encoded instructions for cell structure and functions, the molecular basis of reproduction, required for the building maintenance and regulation of all living cells |
Polymer | a very long chain like molecule composed of small sub-unit molecules, or monomers, attached by covalent bonds |
Nucleotide | a sub-unit or building block of nucleic acids chemically structured of deoxyribose sugar, triphosphate group, and nitrogen bases a (A, T, C, and G) |
Complementary Base Pairing | a predictable interaction between nitrogen bases on opposite strands of DNA and between DNA and RNA [Base Pairing=Adenine (A) Thymine (T) Cytosine (C) Guanine (G)] lets DNA act as a template for its own replication |
DNA Sequence | the order of bases or nucleotides |
Replication | the process of making a copy of the genetic information in a cell nucleus (Steps= enzymes seperate the 2 DNA strands unzip, enzymes read the sequence of nucleotides on one strand) |
Mutation | a heredity change to the nucleotide sequence of a gene, in other words an error in the replication of DNA template |
Deletion Mutation | results when replication enzymes mistakenly skip a base and the new DNA strand forms a missing base |
Insertion Mutation | a change in a DNA sequence involving adding a new nucleotide or sequence of nucleotides |
Substitution Mutation | caused by substituting on a nucleotide for another nucleotide during jreplication |
Repair Enzymes | detects and repair mutations, but some mutations become a permanent part of a cell's genetic material |
Gametes | mutations in gametes can pass to offspring |
Natural Selection | acts strongly to keep detrimental and lethal mutations from accumulating in a species |
Gene | a fundamental physical unit of heredity, which transmits a set of specifications from one generation to the next |
Alleles | one or two or more possible forms of a gene; different version of gene they each affect the hereditary trait somewhat differently |
Gene Expression | the process by which genetic information is used to synthesize a functional product such as RNA or protein |
Transcription | the assembly of an RNA molecule complementary to a strand of DNA |
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) | the heredity material coded by the DNA of cells to carry out specific genetic functions (ribose sugar) (helix) (no thymine [T] has uracil [U] which pairs with adenine [A]) |
Messenger RNA (mRNA) | the RNA complementary to one strand of DNA acts as a messanger |
Transfer RNA (tRNA) | responsible for transporting amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis |
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) | responsible for assembling amino acids in the ribosome during protein synthesis |
Translation | the assembly of proteins on ribosomes, using mRNA to direct the order of amino acids (converting the genetic code in a mRNA sequence into an amino acid sequence |
Genetic Code | the "language" of the genes in which the nucleotide sequence of DNA specifies the amino acid sequence of a protein (20 different amino acids) |
Condon | the basic unit of the genetic code made up of sequence of three adjacent nucleotides on one strand of DNA or mRNA |
Ribosome | the cellular organelle that serves as the site for protein synthesis |
Peptide Bond | a type of covalent bond that links amino acids together to form a protein |
Genome | all of the information coded in the DNA of an organism |
Gene Therapy | introducing genetically engineered human cells into a human body for curing a genetic defect |
Genetic Screening | the ability to screen an individual or population for a genetic disorder through DNA analysis |
Cloning | the production of genetically identical organisms via somatic cell nuclear transfer |