Ap bio unit 6 vocab

Gene Expression

The manifestation of the genetic material of an organism in the form of specific traits

Structural DNA

Genes that code for proteins and polypeptides

Operator

A segment of DNA that serves as a binding site for regulatory proteins to control gene expression

Operon

A series of genes that code for specific products and the regulatory elements that control these genes

Regulator Gene

Codes for the production of a repressor protein

Inducer

A molecule that initiates gene expression

Repressor

A regulatory protein that blocks transcription and prevents protein synthesis

Promoter

A DNA segment that binds RNA polymerase to initiate transcription

Euchromatin

A region of DNA that is uncoiled and undergoing active transcription into RNA

Intron

The section of structural gene that is transcribed but not translated into a protein

Exon

A segment of a gene that contains information used in coding for protein synthesis

mRNA

A form of messenger RNA that contains both introns and exons

Transcription Factors

Bind to enhancers and TATA box; mediate the binding of RNA polymerase and initiation of transcription

Cell Differentiation

The process by which a cell becomes specialized for a specific structure or function

Homeotic Genes

Regulatory genes that determine where anatomical structures will develop during morphogenesis

Oncogene

A gene that induces cancer or uncontrolled cell division

Tumor

A mass of abnormal cell division

Cancer

Disorder of cell growth that results in invasion and destruction of healthy tissue by abnormal cells

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A gene that suppresses tumor formation but that, when mutated, causes a loss in cell function

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells beyond the original site of growth

Trait

A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to offspring