Chapter 10 - DNA is's replication, mutations, and regulation

Semi conservative replication

DNA is replicated producing two copies where each contained one of the original strands of DNA and one new strand of DNA

DNA polymerase

A type of protein enzyme used to make copies of DNA

Telomeres

A region of non-coding DNA located at the ends of the chromosomes to protect them from coming apart, and to prevent damage from DNA replication as each time DNA is replicated it is shortened

Genetic code

A sequence of nucleotides that code for proteins, or a set of rules used to translate information stored in DNA into proteins

Codons

A sequence of three nucleotides that code for an amino acid

GMO

A genetically modified organism, more specifically an organism whose genes have been directly altered by humans

Mutations

Any change in the sequence of DNA

Silent mutation

A mutation that does not result in gene expression

Substitution

When one nucleotide is exchanged for another nucleotide

Insertion

When an additional nucleotide is added to a gene resulting in a frameshift

Deletions

When a nucleotide is removed from a gene, resulting in a frameshift

Frameshift

The result of insertion and deletions that are not in multiples of three, it changes the reading frame after the mutation usually resulting in a difunctional polypeptide

Gene duplication

An evolutionary important type of mutation creating new genetic material and more opportunities for new gene functions

Gene expression

The flow of information from genes to proteins 

Transcription

The process of copying the information stored in DNA to mRNA

Translation

The process where the information stored in mRNA is used to make proteins in a ribosome

Ribosome

A large molecular complex made of proteins and rRNA used to make proteins

Epigenetics

The study of how the environment affects gene expression and cell function without altering the sequences of DNA. This information can be passed from one generation to the next

Virus

An infectious agent that is reproduced by infecting a host cell

Retrovirus 

A type of virus that makes DNA from its RNA, and then the viral DNA can be incorporated into the host cell’s DNA

Reverse transcriptase

A protein enzyme used by retroviruses to make DNA from an RNA template