DNARNA Vocabulary Ms Womacks Definitions DNADeoxyribonucleic Acid Nucleic

DNA/RNA Vocabulary Ms. Womack’s Definitions

DNA—Deoxyribonucleic Acid • Nucleic acid that stores genetic information.

RNA—Ribonucleic Acid • Nucleic acid that carries out the instructions of DNA • RNA transmits genetic information & helps in protein synthesis

Nucleotide • Monomer of a nucleic acid • Made up of 3 parts (PBS) – a Phosphate group, a Sugar, and a nitrogen-containing Base

Double Helix • “Twisted ladder” structure of DNA

Chromatin • DNA in its loose form – present during interphase

Chromosome • DNA in its tight form • Long thread of DNA that is present during cell division

Complementary Bases • Nitrogen bases that pair together like puzzle pieces.

Purines • The nitrogen bases Adenine (A) and Guanine (G)

Pyrimidines • The nitrogen bases Cytosine (C), Thymine (T), and Uracil (U)

Hydrogen Bonds • Weak bonds that hold a DNA molecule together

Replication • The process of copying a strand of DNA

Gene • A specific region of DNA that codes for a single protein

Transcription • The process of copying DNA into a complementary strand of RNA

Translation • The process of decoding the message in m. RNA to make a protein

Protein Synthesis • Using DNA & RNA to make proteins • Synthesize = make

Codon • Sequence of three nucleotides in m. RNA that codes for one amino acid

Anticodon • Sequence of three nucleotides in t. RNA that matches to an m. RNA codon

Amino Acid • Monomer of a protein

Peptide bond • Bond that links two amino acids together

DNA Fingerprinting • Using a unique DNA sequence to identify a person’s identity • Used for crime scenes & paternity testing

Gel Electrophoresis • Separating pieces of DNA by running an electric current through a gel

Mutation • A change in the DNA sequence • Are caused by mutagens

Frameshift • Mutation caused by adding or deleting a nucleotide in DNA

Point • Mutation caused by a single nucleotide change in DNA

Substitution • Mutation where one nucleotide is swapped for another

Deletion • Taking out one nucleotide from DNA

Insertion • Adding one nucleotide to DNA

Translocation • Mutation where a piece of one chromosome breaks off and reattaches to another chromosome