Biology Chapter 7 Study Guide: DNA Structure, Gene Expression, and Viruses

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering DNA structure, replication, the central dogma, gene expression regulation, and viral life cycles based on the Chapter 7 study guide.

DNA Organization

The relationship between DNA, genes, histones, and chromosomes that determines the structure of genetic material.

DNA Complementarity

The principle of base pairing where specific nitrogenous bases in DNA always pair together via hydrogen bonds.

Semi-conservative DNA replication

The process where DNA replicates such that the resulting double helices each contain one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Karyotype

A visual representation or map used to interpret the complete set of chromosomes in an individual.

Central Dogma of Biology

The framework describing the flow of genetic information in a eukaryotic cell from DNA to RNA and finally to protein.

Transcription

The process of using a DNA template to synthesize an RNA molecule, occurring within the eukaryotic cell's nucleus.

Alternative Splicing

A process that maximizes genome coding capacity by removing specific components and splicing others together to produce multiple types of RNA from one gene.

Translation

The process where messenger RNA (mRNA) interacts with ribosomes to produce proteins.

Genetic Code Redundancy

A property of the genetic code where multiple codons can specify the same amino acid, providing a link to how mutations affect protein synthesis.

Gene Expression

The process that explains why different cell types exist despite containing the same genome, regulated by various mechanisms within the cell.

DNA Mutation

A mistake or change in the genome that can occur during processes like replication, categorized as either gene mutations or chromosomal mutations.

Bacteriophage Lytic Cycle

A viral cycle where a bacteriophage infects a host cell and leads to the production of new viruses and the immediate destruction of the host.

Bacteriophage Lysogenic Cycle

A viral cycle where the bacteriophage DNA integrates into the host cell's genome without immediately destroying the host.

HIV Cycle

The specific sequence of steps for the propagation and infection process of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Prion

An infectious agent where protein shape determines function, differing from viruses in structure and propagation.

Purines and Pyrimidines

The two categories of nitrogenous bases that make up the nucleotides in DNA.

Homologous pair of chromosomes

A pair of chromosomes containing the same gene sequences, one derived from each parent.

Autosomes

The chromosomes in a genome that are not involved in determining the biological sex of an organism.

Sex chromosomes

Chromosomes that specifically determine the biological sex of an individual, distinct from autosomes.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of nucleic acid composed of building blocks that carries genetic instructions to organelles for protein synthesis.

Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that allows for the prediction of specific amino acids using a genetic code table.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

A molecule composed of nucleotides that links mRNA and ribosomes, utilizing an anti-codon and hydrogen bonding during translation.

Anti-codon

A three-nucleotide sequence on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to an mRNA codon.

$5'$ cap and Poly $A$ tail

Specific modifications added to mRNA molecules that influence their stability and function.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins that are joined together by peptide bonds.

R-group

The side chain of an amino acid that influences the overall structure and folding of a protein.

Coding sequences

The specific pieces of a gene that provide the instructions for building proteins, as opposed to regulation sequences.