Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, processes, and terminology in molecular biology and genetic engineering.

DNA

The molecule that holds the instructions for all living things.

Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid

The full name of DNA.

Double Helix

The structure of a DNA molecule, consisting of two strands.

Nucleotide

The individual building block of DNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate, and a base.

Adenine (A)

One of the four nucleotide bases in DNA that pairs with thymine (T).

Thymine (T)

One of the four nucleotide bases in DNA that pairs with adenine (A).

Guanine (G)

One of the four nucleotide bases in DNA that pairs with cytosine (C).

Cytosine (C)

One of the four nucleotide bases in DNA that pairs with guanine (G).

Complementary

The relationship between two DNA strands where the bases pair according to specific rules.

DNA Replication

The process by which a cell duplicates its chromosomes.

Semi-conservative Replication

A type of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule has one original strand and one new strand.

Replication Bubble

The separation of DNA during replication.

Replication Forks

The ends of the replication bubble where DNA is being replicated.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.

Leading Strand

The DNA strand that is replicated continuously during DNA replication.

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is replicated in pieces during DNA replication.

RNA

A nucleic acid that is a single strand and plays a role in protein synthesis.

Ribonucleic Acid

The full name of RNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, which carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

Transcription

The process by which DNA is rewritten into RNA.

Translation

The process by which RNA is translated into an amino acid sequence to form a protein.

Codon

A three-base sequence in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

tRNA

Transfer RNA, which carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA, which makes up the ribosomes.

Anticodon

A sequence of three bases in tRNA that matches a codon in mRNA.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids; another term for a protein.

Gene Regulation

The process of turning genes on and off, affecting protein synthesis.

Mutation

Any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the addition or deletion of nucleotides that shifts the reading frame of the genetic code.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in a different amino acid sequence.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that results in a premature stop codon.

In-del Mutation

A mutation caused by the insertion or deletion of nucleotides.

Proto-oncogene

A normal gene that can become an oncogene due to mutations.

Oncogene

A mutated proto-oncogene that promotes unregulated cell division.

Tumor

An abnormally growing mass of body cells.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another.

Benign Tumor

A tumor that does not spread to other tissues.

Malignant Tumor

A tumor that invades surrounding tissues and can spread.

Genetic Engineering

The manipulation of DNA for practical purposes.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms that have acquired one or more genes by artificial means.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that has genes from another species inserted into its genome.

CRISPR

A technique used for precise gene editing.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A method used to amplify small segments of DNA.

Gene Therapy

A technique that uses lab methods to fix genetic diseases.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material in an organism.

Genomics

The study of entire genomes, including their structure, function, evolution, and mapping.

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

Sequences in DNA that are repeated and can be used in forensic analysis.

Biotechnology

The manipulation of organisms or their components to make useful products.

DNA Probe

A labeled DNA fragment used to detect the presence of complementary sequences.