Term | Definition |
Double helix | the shape of the DNA molecule (Watson and Crick) |
Nucleotide | a piece of the DNA molecule, made of a phosphate, a sugar and a base |
Base- pairing rules | A pairs with T (2 bonds) and G pairs with C (3 bonds) |
Complementary base pair | the sequence of bases on one strand, or side, determines the sequence of the bases on the other strand, or side |
Purines | 2, or double, ring bases (A and G) |
Pyrimidines | 1, or single, ring bases (T and C) |
Adenine (A) | always pairs with T, 2 bonds |
Thymine (T) | always pairs with A, 2 bonds |
Cytosine (C) | always pairs with G, 3 bonds |
Guanine (G) | always pairs with C, 3 bonds |
DNA replication | making a copy of DNA so the cell can reproduce, during Synthesis phase |
DNA helicase | the chemical that opens the double helix by breaking the bonds between the bases on the opposite strands |
replication fork | the areas where the double helix separates |
DNA polymerase | the chemical that moves along the DNA strands and adds nucleotides according to the base-pairing rules |