Molecular Biology and Electrophoresis

VOCABULARY practice flashcards based on the lecture material regarding molecular biology concepts, the central dogma, genetic engineering, and electrophoresis techniques.

Molecular Biology

The study of the molecules of biology, specifically focusing on DNA and RNA.

Biochemist

A person who studies molecules of biology such as proteins or lipids.

Gene

An inheritable unit that can be passed from one generation to the next.

Genome

The entire genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The physical appearance of an organism, influenced by genetic makeup and environmental factors.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism that influences its phenotype.

Alleles

Alternative forms of genes, such as the $A$, $B$, or $O$ genes for blood grouping.

Locus (Loci)

The specific position on a chromosome where a gene or allele is located.

Homozygote

An organism that has inherited two copies of the same gene or allele for a specific trait.

Heterozygote

An organism that has inherited two different alleles for a specific trait.

Dominant Gene

A gene that requires only one copy for its trait to be expressed in the phenotype.

Recessive Gene

A gene that requires a homozygous state (two copies) for its trait to be expressed in the phenotype.

Penetrance

The proportion of a population with a specific genotype that actually expresses the associated phenotype.

Expressivity

The degree or level to which a genotype is expressed in an individual's phenotype.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The process where DNA encodes information to make more DNA, as well as RNA, which is then translated to make protein.

DNA Replication (Synthesis)

The process by which a DNA molecule makes copies of itself to pass traits to future generations.

Transcription (RNA Synthesis)

The process of taking the information encoded in DNA and transcribing it into the language of RNA.

Translation (Protein Synthesis)

The process of taking the information from messenger RNA and translating it to make a protein.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases with a two ring structure, specifically Adenine ($A$) and Guanine ($G$).

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases with a single ring structure, specifically Cytosine ($C$), Thymine ($T$), and Uracil ($U$).

Nucleotide

The building block of nucleic acids consisting of a nitrogenous base attached to a sugar and at least one phosphate group.

Deoxyribose

The sugar found in DNA, which lacks an oxygen atom at the number $2$ carbon position compared to ribose.

Phosphodiester Bond

The covalent bond formed between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar of the grown strand of DNA.

Antiparallel

The structural arrangement of the DNA double helix where the two strands run in opposite directions (one $5'$ to $3'$ and the other $3'$ to $5'$).

Semi-conservative Model

The model of DNA replication where one old parental strand acts as a template for making one new daughter strand.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that catalyzes the polymerization of deoxynucleotide triphosphates to build a new DNA strand at the $3'$ end.

Primer

A short starting material with a free hydroxyl group at the $3'$ position required for DNA polymerase to begin synthesis.

Intron

An intervening region within a eukaryotic gene that is not required to make protein and must be spliced out during processing.

Exon

The regions of a eukaryotic gene that are expressed and kept in the mature messenger RNA.

RNA Polymerase

The enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template in the $5'$ to $3'$ direction without requiring a primer.

Codon

A set of three bases in messenger RNA that encodes for a specific amino acid.

Anticodon

A set of three bases in a transfer RNA molecule that is complementary to a specific mRNA codon.

Degenerate

A property of the genetic code where more than one codon can encode for the same amino acid.

Universal

A property of the genetic code meaning a specific codon encodes for the same amino acid in almost all living organisms.

Restriction Endonuclease (RE) Enzymes

Enzymes that act as molecular scissors by recognizing specific palindromic sequences and cutting DNA molecules.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme used to stick fragments of DNA together by reforming phosphodiester bonds in the sugar-phosphate backbone.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A three-step laboratory technique (denaturation, annealing, and extension) used to amplify a specific region of a genome in a test tube.

Taq DNA Polymerase

A thermostable enzyme isolated from Thermus aquaticus with an optimum temperature of $72\,^{\circ}C$, used in PCR cycles.

Transgenic Animal

An animal that has had its genetics changed by having a gene from another organism inserted into its genome.

Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate molecules like DNA, RNA, or proteins based on size and charge by migrating them through a matrix using an electrical current.

Agarose Gel

A purified seaweed extract matrix used in electrophoresis to separate nucleic acids or proteins.

Isoelectric Focusing (IEF)

An electrophoresis technique that separates proteins according to their charge by migrating them through a pH gradient until they reach their isoelectric point.

Isoelectric Point (Pi)

The specific pH at which a protein molecule has a net neutral charge and stops moving during isoelectric focusing.