Unit 7- Nucleic Acids, DNA Replication, and Mitosis

These flashcards cover key concepts related to nucleic acids, DNA replication, mitosis, and the regulation of the cell cycle.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information; includes DNA and RNA.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, involved in protein synthesis and expression of genetic information.

Nucleotide

Basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases with a two-ring structure; includes adenine (A) and guanine (G).

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases with a single-ring structure; includes cytosine (C), thymine (T) in DNA, and uracil (U) in RNA.

DNA Replication

The process by which a DNA molecule makes a copy of itself during the S phase of the cell cycle.

Mitosis

A process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Meiosis

A specialized form of cell division that produces gametes with half the chromosome number.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined together.

Cyclins

Proteins that regulate the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).

Telomeres

Repeated DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from degradation.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Control mechanisms in the cell cycle that ensure cell division proceeds correctly.