Module 1 Genome Engineering Course: Understanding Basics

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the basic structures of the cell and the fundamental processes of transcription and translation.

Cell

The basic unit of all living tissue.

Nucleus

A structure found in most human cells that contains the genome.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material in an organism, which in humans is split between $23$ pairs of chromosomes.

Chromosomes

Structures made of long strands of DNA packaged around proteins, found in $23$ pairs in human cells.

Histones

Proteins around which DNA is tightly packaged within the chromosome.

Genes

Sections within the DNA that contain the specific instructions for making proteins.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that attaches to the start of a gene and moves along the DNA to create a strand of messenger RNA.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A strand of RNA created from free bases in the nucleus that serves as a template for protein production.

Transcription

The process by which the DNA code determines the order of bases added to a new strand of messenger RNA.

Cytoplasm

The region of the cell outside the nucleus where messenger RNA moves to reach the ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Protein factories located in the cytoplasm that bind to messenger RNA to produce amino acid chains.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, of which there are $20$ different types.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Molecules that carry specific amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Triplet

A sequence of $3$ bases in the messenger RNA that is read by the ribosome to designate a specific amino acid.

Protein

A complex 3D shape formed once a chain of amino acids has been completed and folded.

Helicase

Unzips DNA strand

Primase

Enzyme that begins replication process. It synthesizes short RNA primers that provide a starting point for DNA synthesis.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme that binds to primer to make new DNA strand. Can only add bases in 5’ to 3’ direction.

Okazaki Fragments

Small chunks in the lagging strand during DNA replication. These fragments must be joined together by the enzyme DNA ligase to create a continuous DNA strand after replication is complete.

Exonuclease

Enzyme that removes all RNA primers from both strands of DNA after replication is complete.

How are genes regulated?

Through processes like transcription, where a protein called the transcription factor either hides or reveals gene directions (turns off and on).

Epigenetics

study of how environmental and lifestyle factors can change gene behavior without altering genetic makeup

Gene therapy

Emerging field of study that aims to treat or manage conditions by adding healthy genes to compensate for those that are mutated, missing, or inactive.

DNA Methylation

epigenetic mechanism that involves the addition of a methyl group (–CH₃) to the DNA molecule, typically at cytosine bases. Methylation can silence genes and is important in development and genomic regulation.

The 4 levels of protein shape

• Primary (chain like), connected by peptide bonds

• Secondary, hydrogen bonds form, creating an alpha helix or beta sheet structure

• Tertiary, more folding and bonding (ionic and covalent)

• Quaternary, multiple polypeptide chains link together, forming a larger molecule

Substitution Mutation

A type of mutation in which a single nucleotide has been replaced by a different nucleotide

Genetic Recombination

The process by which genetic material is exchanged between chromosomes.