Bacterial Genetics Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards designed to reinforce key terms and concepts in bacterial genetics.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.

Plasmid

Extra-chromosomal DNA that may enter or leave a bacterial cell without changing the species.

Helicase

An enzyme that breaks hydrogen bonds in DNA, creating the replication bubble.

Antiparallel

Refers to the opposite orientation of the two strands of DNA, affecting replication.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the information in mRNA.

Mutation

A change in the nucleotide base sequence of a genome that can affect phenotype.

Operon

A set of genes controlled by a single promoter and repressor, regulating gene expression.

DNA Polymerase III

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the 3' end.

Okazaki Fragment

Short sequences of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Conjugation

A process of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria through direct contact.

Transformation

A method of horizontal gene transfer where a bacterium takes up free DNA from its environment.

Transduction

A process by which bacterial DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus.

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins, each specified by a codon on the mRNA.

Ribosome

Molecular machine that facilitates the translation of mRNA into proteins.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism, determined by genotype and environment.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism, influencing its traits.

Single-strand Binding Proteins

Proteins that stabilize unwound, single-stranded DNA during replication.

Splicing

The process of removing introns from pre-mRNA to produce mature mRNA.

Replication Fork

The area where the DNA helix is unwound and replication occurs.