DNA, RNA, Gene Function, Mitosis, and Meiosis Review

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes covering DNA/RNA structure, transcription, translation, protein folding, gene mutations, cell cycle stages, mitosis, and asexual/sexual reproduction concepts.

Deoxyribosenucleic Acid

A molecule that forms the genetic material of all living things and serves as life's blueprint.

Phenotype

The physical traits generated from genes and DNA that generate heritable variation.

rosalin franklin

The scientist who took pictures of DNA molecules using x-ray diffraction, though often not credited for her work.

james watson and francis crick

The scientists who first described the DNA molecule.

Nucleotides

Monomers that form polynucleotide polymers, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a 5-carbon pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Uracil

A nitrogenous base present in RNA instead of thymine.

Central Dogma

The flow of genetic information stored in DNA that is transcribed and translated into phenotypic traits.

Transcription

The synthesis of RNA using DNA sequences, which produces mRNA by copying a recipe from DNA.

Translation

The synthesis of a polypeptide using mRNA, which produces a protein at the ribosome.

pre-mRNA

The initial first draft of mRNA produced during transcription in eukaryotic nuclei before undergoing further RNA processing.

Codons

Three-nucleotide words that code for specific amino acids and are translated into a chain of amino acids.

Template strand

The single strand of DNA used as a template after the DNA double helix unzips by breaking weak hydrogen bonds.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that attaches to the template strand to help link nucleotides into mRNA during transcription.

Promoter region

A region of DNA (usually consisting of repeating bases) where RNA polymerase starts transcription.

tRNA

A molecule that acts as an assistant chef during translation by picking up required amino acids and matching them to appropriate mRNA codons.

Primary structure

The level of protein structure consisting of a long basic strand of amino acids.

Point mutations

Changes in just $1$ or a few nucleotide pairs within a gene.

Silent mutation

A nucleotide substitution that occurs where the end result still codes for the same amino acid.

Missense mutation

A nucleotide substitution that codes for a different amino acid or alters the function of an amino acid.

Nonsense mutation

A mutation that causes coding for only a portion of the protein or nothing at all.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide that rewrites subsequent codons.

Sickle-Cell Disease

A disease that reduces red blood cell storage and oxygen transport capacity by half, causing blood vessel clots due to altered cell shape.

Genome

All the DNA contained inside a cell.

Chromatid

A complex of DNA and proteins that makes up condensed chromosomes.

Interphase

The main phase of the cell cycle comprising G1 (growth stage $1$), S (DNA synthesis stage), and G2 (growth stage $2$).

Prophase

The mitotic stage where centrosomes start growing mitotic spindles, spread out, and chromosomes condense.

Prometaphase

The mitotic stage identical to prophase, except that the nuclear envelope dissolves.

Metaphase

The mitotic stage where mitotic spindles push chromosomes to line up in the center of the cell.

Anaphase

The mitotic stage where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite sides of the cell, becoming individual chromosomes.

Telophase

The mitotic stage where chromosomes unwind, a new nuclear envelope forms over both sets of chromosomes, and spindle fibers disappear.

Cytokinesis

The division of cytoplasm, occurring by cleavage furrow in animal cells and cell plate formation in plant cells.

Binary Fission

Reproduction by division in half (seen in bacteria and protozoans) where DNA replication begins at the origin of replication.

Parthenogenesis

The development of an embryo from an unfertilized egg, occurring in species such as aphids, bees, daphnia, copperheads, and water fleas.

Homologous chromosomes

A pair of chromosomes (one from each parent) that contain the same genes but not the same alleles.