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
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