Unit 3 DNA

WIP

Anaphase

3rd stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids are pulled apart and pulled to opposite poles of the cell

Benign

A diseased state that is not necessarily harmful.

C a n c e r

Uncontrolled growth & division of cells that can be caused by changes in control of the cell cycle or other factors

Cell Cycle

Process of cellular reproduction, occurring in 3 mainstages, interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis

Cellular Process

Any process that is carried out at the cellular level; namely cell transport, photosynthesis and cellular respiration

Cytokinesis

3rd main stage of the cell cycle during which the cell’s cytoplasm divides, creating a new cell

Daughter Cell

Either of the two cells formed when a cell undergoes cell division by mitosis.  They are genetically identical to the parent cell

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The universal genetic material for living organisms containing genes

Diploid

Having two copies of each chromosome

G0 Phase

Resting phase of a cell in which the cell is neither dividing nor preparing to divide

G1 Phase

Stage of cell cycle where cell is preparing to divide; growth in size, protein synthesis

S Phase

The phase in which the cell copies itself before division.

G2 Phase

Phase of cell cycle where cell prepares for division/mitosis

Haploid

Having half the number of chromosomes as a diploid cell

Interphase

1st stage of the cell cycle, during which a cell grows, matures and replicates its DNA; is broken down into G1, S and G2 phases

M Phase

Mitotic phase of cell cycle, which follows G2 part of interphase and is the phase where the cell’s nuclear material divides and separates into opposite ends of the cell.

Malignant

A term referring to cells that grow in an uncontrolled way and can invade nearby tissues & spread to other parts of the body.

Base-Pairing Rules

A must be with T, C must be with G

Chargaff’s Rule

A%=T%, %G=%C

Chromatin

Relaxed version of DNA, kinda looks like noodles.

Histones

Special proteins that DNA wraps around and helps with the structure.

Chromosomes

A condensed strand or strands of DNA. Normally looks like an X or Y.

Chromatids

One of the identical parts of the chromosome after the replication

Centromere

The part where the two chromatids touch.

DNA Replication-Step 1 (Unwind)

Helicase enzyme unzips the DNA, a replication fork forms, the place where DNA splits.

DNA Replication-Step 2 (Replication)

DNA polyamerase adds new nucleotides to template strands, bases must be complimentary. Leading and lagging strands as a result.

DNA Replication-Step 3 (New DNA)

Ligase enzyme glues Okazaki Fragments together, 2 new DNA molecules are formed.

Leading Strand

The strand that is synthesized in the same direction as the replication fork, created as one piece.

Lagging Strand

The strand that is synthesized in the opposite direction of the replication fork, made in small fragments.

Okazaki Fragments

The name of the small fragments created during synthesis of the lagging strand.

DNA Helicase

Unwinds the DNA double helix at the replication fork.

DNA Polymerase

Adds free floating nucleotides together in the 5’ to 3’ direction. Also in charge of proofreading and correcting the work.

DNA Ligase

“glues” the Okazaki Fragments together.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death

Carcinogens

Cancer-causing agents

Tumors

A clump of cells growing/dividing uncontrollably

Metastatis

How cancer spreads through unconnected tissue.