6.1-6.2 notes

Heritable Information

The genetic information stored in DNA and RNA that is transmitted from parent to offspring.

Polymers

Large molecules composed of many repeated subunits, such as nucleotides in DNA and RNA.

DNA

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

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule that plays essential roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA: adenine with thymine (or uracil in RNA) and guanine with cytosine.

Prokaryotes

Organisms with cells that lack a nucleus, typically having circular chromosomes.

Eukaryotes

Organisms with cells that contain a nucleus and multiple linear chromosomes.

Plasmids

Small extra-chromosomal, double-stranded circular DNA molecules found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Semiconservative Replication

The method of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original and one newly synthesized strand.

Leading Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously during replication in the 5' to 3' direction.

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized in discontinuous fragments during replication.

Okazaki Fragments

Short fragments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during replication.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new strands of DNA by adding nucleotides to a growing chain.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes a short RNA primer to initiate DNA replication.

Ligase

An enzyme that joins together fragments of DNA on the lagging strand.

Antiparallel Orientation

The opposite alignment of the two strands of DNA; one runs 5' to 3' and the other from 3' to 5'.

Pyrimidines

Nucleotide bases with a single-ring structure, including cytosine, thymine, and uracil.

Purines

Nucleotide bases with a double-ring structure, including adenine and guanine.

Directionality in DNA

Refers to the orientation of the DNA strands, affecting how they are replicated.