Cell Cycle and Genetic Material Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of DNA, RNA, chromatin, chromosomes, human genetics, and the cell cycle from the lecture notes.

Blastula

An early stage in the development of a sexually reproducing multicellular organism where cellular events produce more cells from a single-celled entity.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The primary genetic material in living organisms that stores genetic information in nucleotide sequences and codes for biological traits such as eye color, hair color, and height.

Sugar-Phosphate Backbone

The structural backbone of DNA composed of alternating deoxyribose sugar and phosphate groups.

Adenine (A)

A nitrogenous base in nucleic acids that pairs with thymine in DNA via hydrogen bonds.

Thymine (T)

A nitrogenous base present in DNA that pairs specifically with adenine.

Guanine (G)

A nitrogenous base present in living cells that pairs with cytosine.

Cytosine (C)

A nitrogenous base present in living cells that pairs with guanine.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

A nucleic acid present in living organisms that utilizes uracil in place of thymine.

Uracil

A nitrogenous base found in RNA instead of thymine.

Chromatin

A complex of DNA and proteins that is dispersed inside the intact cell nucleus during interphase.

Chromosome

A highly condensed, coiled, and compact structure of DNA formed from chromatin.

Autosomes

The 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes found in human cells.

Sex Chromosomes

The pair of chromosomes (XX in females, XY in males) that determine the biological sex of an individual.

Cell Cycle

The life cycle of an individual cell describing how cells grow, develop, and reproduce.