Bio: DNA & RNA

basic structure and building block of DNA

nucleotide (a sugar molecule, a phosphate group and a nitrogen-containing base)

process of DNA replication

the opening of the double helix and separation of the DNA strands, the priming of the template strand, and the assembly of the new DNA segment

how DNA replication relates to the transmission and conservation of the genetic code

cells can make two identical copies of DNA from each DNA strand and each daughter cell gets identical copies of DNA

transcription

DNA nucleotides are copied into newly synthesized molecules of RNA, with the DNA serving as a template

translation

a sequence of nucleotide triplets in a messenger RNA molecule gives rise to a specific sequence of amino acids during synthesis of a polypeptide or protein

Chargaff’s rule

in any given strand of DNA, there will be the same percent of complimentary bases

mutations

a change in the DNA sequence of an organism

codon

A sequence of three consecutive nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule that codes for a specific amino acid

semi-conservative replication

each replicated DNA consists of one side of new DNA and one side is from the original strand

RNA polymerase

is used during transcription

template

something that can be copied

codon

a sequence of three nucleotides that form a genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule

nucleotide

a base, sugar, and phosphate group connected

where is DNA/RNA

nucleus/nucleus and ribosome

which direction is DNA made (prime ends)

5’ to 3’

anti-parallel

the opposite orientations of the two strands of a DNA double helix

tRNA

brings amino acids to the mRNA at the ribosomes to create proteins

cyclin

start gene

a group of proteins that control the progression of the cell cycle by activating particular enzymes

p53

stop gene

A gene that makes a protein that is found inside the nucleus of cells and plays a key role in controlling cell division and cell death

proto oncogene

a group of genes that cause normal cells to become cancerous when they are mutated 

DNA helicase

unzips DNA for replication; enzyme

primase

an enzyme that synthesizes short RNA sequences called primers. These primers serve as a starting point for DNA synthesis. Since primase produces RNA molecules, the enzyme is a type of RNA polymerase

okazaki fragments

short sections of DNA formed at the time of discontinuous synthesis of the lagging strand during replication of DNA

DNA polymerase

(builder) bonds with new nucleotides

enzymes that create DNA molecules by assembling nucleotides

ligase

bonds Okazaki fragments together

leading strand

nucleotides added continuously from the 5’ to 3’ direction; towards the replication fork

lagging strand

nucleotides added in Okazaki fragments in the 5’ to 3’ direction; away from the replication fork