BIOL 100 Chapter 6: DNA and Gene Expression

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Spencer Hughes' BIOL 100 lecture notes covering DNA structure, gene regulation, transcription, translation, and types of mutations.

DNA

A molecule that contains instructions for the development and functioning of all living organisms.

James Watson and Francis Crick

The scientists who figured out the exact structure of DNA.

Rosalind Franklin

The scientist whose work was central to understanding the molecular structures of DNA and RNA.

Deoxyribose

A $5$-carbon sugar that forms the sides of the DNA ladder alongside phosphate.

Genome

An organism's complete set of DNA.

Chromosome

One or more unique pieces of DNA.

Gene

A specific sequence or section of DNA that contains instructions for making proteins.

Locus

The position of a gene on a chromosome.

Alleles

Different versions of a gene that code for the same feature.

Trait

Any single characteristic or feature of an organism.

Noncoding DNA

DNA that does not contain instructions for making proteins, consisting of repeats, fragments, pseudogenes, and introns.

Pseudogene

A noncoding region of DNA referred to as a fake gene.

Introns

Noncoding regions located within genes.

Genotype

The genes that an organism carries for a particular trait, made up of $2$ alleles.

Phenotype

The physical manifestation of the instructions for a particular trait or genotype.

Transcription

The process where the information coded in DNA is copied into mRNA.

Translation

The process where the mRNA copy of genetic information is used to build functional protein molecules by converting mRNA into amino acids.

Codon

A $3$ base sequence on mRNA that codes for a particular amino acid.

Start Codon

The initial codon Methionine, which starts protein translation.

Gene Expression

The production of the protein that the gene's sequence codes for.

Gene Regulation

Mechanisms determining whether a gene is turned on or off, controlling whether it is currently producing its product.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that bind to specific regulatory sites of the DNA to control gene expression.

Positive Control

A gene regulation mechanism that initiates or speeds up gene expression.

Negative Control

A gene regulation mechanism that slows or blocks gene expression.

Mutation

An alteration to the sequence of bases in DNA.

Neutral Mutation

A mutation that has no positive or negative effect on the organism.

Mutations in Non-Sex Cells

Mutations in non-sex cells (such as lung cells) that are not passed along to offspring.

Mutations in Sex Cells

Mutations in sex cells that cause no adverse health effects on the individual carrying them, but can be passed to offspring.

Point Mutation

A major type of DNA mutation where one nucleotide is altered.

Nucleotide Substitution

A point mutation involving 'spelling' errors with the wrong base, such as in Sickle Cell.

Nucleotide Insertion

A point mutation where an extra nucleotide is added, such as in fragile X.

Nucleotide Deletion

A point mutation where a nucleotide is missing, such as in cystic fibrosis.

Chromosomal Aberration

A major type of DNA change where entire segments of DNA (genes) are altered.

Gene Deletion

A chromosomal aberration where a gene is deleted, such as in Cri de Chat Syndrome.

Gene Relocation

A chromosomal aberration where a gene is relocated to a different chromosome.

Gene Duplication

A chromosomal aberration where a gene is duplicated.