Ch12 DNA Vocabulary

Uracil

Nitrogen base found only in RNA that only pairs with Adenine

UAU

mRNA codon

tRNA

Type of RNA molecule that transfers amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis

Translation

Decoding of a mRNA message in a polypeptide chain

Transcription

Process in which part of the nucleotide sequence of DNA is copied into a complementary sequence in RNA

Thymine

Nitrogen base that pairs only with Adenine

rRNA

Type of RNA that makes up the major part of ribosomes

Point Mutation Substitution

One nitrogen base is substituted for another, such as “A” for a “T”

Example of Point Mutation Insertion

ATA/GGC → GAT/AGG/C

Point Mutation Insertion

One nitrogen base is inserted into the DNA sequence causing a frame shift for all following codons

Example of Point Mutation Deletion

CGC/AGA/GGT → CCA/GAG/GT

Point Mutation Deletion

One nitrogen base is deletes from the DNA sequence causing a frame shift for all following codons

Point Mutation

Mutation that affects a single nucleotide, usually by substituting one nucleotide for another

Nucleus

Where transcription takes place

Histones

Proteins that have a DNA wrapped around them, so chromosomes can form

Guanine

Nitrogen base that only pairs with Cytosine

Frame Shift Mutation

Insertion or deletion of a single nitrogen base, which shifts all other codons

DNA

Nucleic acid that contains the sugar deoxyribose

mRNA

RNA molecule that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to the rest of the cell

Cytosine

Nitrogen base that only pairs with Guanine

Cytoplasm

Part of the cell where Protein synthesis takes place

Example of Codon Mutation

/ATA/GGC → /ATA/CCC/GGC

Codon Mutation

One codon is inserted or deleted into a DNA sequence, but all other codons are the same

Codon

Three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid

Chromosomal Mutation of Translocation

When two non-homologous chromosomes swap parts

Example of Chromosomal Mutation of Translocation

ABC-DEFGH → ABC-OPQRS

LMN-OPQRS → LMN-DEFGHI

Example of Chromosomal Mutation of Inversion

ABC-DEFGHI → CBA-DEFGHI

Example of Chromosomal Mutation of Deletion

ABC-DEFGHI → AB-EFGHI

Example of Chromosomal Mutation of Duplication

ABC-DEFGHI → ABBC-DEFGHI

Chromosomal Mutation Inversion

When part of the chromosome becomes disoriented in the chromosomal order

Chromosomal Mutation Duplication

Part of the chromosomes is duplicated, adding to the chromosome

Chromosomal Mutation Deletion

Part of a chromosome is completely deleted from the chromosome

Chromosomal Mutation

Change in the number or structure of a chromosome

Chromatin

DNA and histone proteins tightly wound together

CGA

Codes for Arginine

Base Pairs

Principle that bonds in DNA can form only between adenine and thymine and between guanine and cytosine

ATA

Codon in DNA

Amino Acids

Compound with an amino acid group on one end and a carboxyl group on the other end

Adenine

Nitrogen base that only pairs with Thymine

Purines

Adenine and Guaunine