Principles of molecular genetics (replication of DNA, transcription of RNA, Protein synthesis, Mundelein laws of genetics)

DNA

The genetic material that encodes hereditary information and directs the development of traits.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a polymer of nucleotides that uses the sugar ribose and has a nitrogenous base uracil instead of thymine.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar molecule, and a phosphate group.

Helix

A twisted structure, such as the double-stranded helix of DNA.

Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA, with adenine (A) pairing with thymine (T) and guanine (G) pairing with cytosine (C).

Replication

The process of copying DNA to produce two identical daughter strands.

Semi-conservative

A type of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the double helix structure of DNA during replication.

Okazaki Fragments

Short DNA strands synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA under the direction of DNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a polypeptide (protein) using the information encoded in mRNA.

Codon

A triplet of nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid during translation.

Promoter

A region of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Terminator

A region of DNA where transcription ends.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA during transcription.

Bacterial cell

A type of cell that lacks a nucleus and has mRNA that is immediately translated without additional processing.

Eukaryotic cell

A type of cell that has a nucleus and a nuclear envelope that separates transcription from translation.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, a molecule that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA using ribosomes.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, a molecule that carries specific amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.

Ribosomes

Molecular complexes that facilitate the specific coupling of tRNA anticodons with mRNA codons during protein synthesis.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on the mRNA strand that represents a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that is complementary to the codon on mRNA.

P site

A binding site on the ribosome where the tRNA carrying the growing polypeptide chain is located.

A site

A binding site on the ribosome where the incoming tRNA carrying the next amino acid binds.

E site

A binding site on the ribosome where the tRNA that has released its amino acid exits.

Polypeptide chain

A chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds during protein synthesis.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Intron

A non-coding region of DNA or RNA that is removed during RNA processing.

Cap

A modified nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA during RNA processing.

Tail

A sequence of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA during RNA processing.

Elongation

The process of adding amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain during translation.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, a molecule that provides energy for cellular processes.

Enzyme

A protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions.