Science vocab: chapter 3

vocab for science chapter 3

nucleotide

The subunit of DNA consisting of a sugar, a phosphate, and a base.

gene

A section of a DNA molecule that codes for a unique protein

transcription

The process that cells use to make RNA copies of a gene.

ribonucleic acid (RNA)

A type of nucleic acids similar to DNA whose structure is based on the information in a gene.

translation

The process of converting the DNA code into a protein.

codon

A set of three nucleotides in a strand of mRNA that codes for one of the amino acids.

amino acid

One of about twenty molecules used to build proteins.

anticodon

A set of three nucleotides in tRNA that match a codon on mRNA

protein sythesis

The process of building a protein by bonding amino acids together

Engineered System

A group of things that are planned, designed, and built to work together to do a certain job.

irreducible complexity

A feature of engineered systems in which removing one part of the system causes the whole system to cease functioning.

cell cycle

The process of cellular growth and reproduction.

interphase

The portion of the cell cycle during which the cell grows and caries out its normal functions.

replication

The DNA - copying process.

mitosis

The process of the cell cycle that ensures that each new daughter cell produced has the same number and kinds of genes as the original parent cell.

cytokinesis

The final stage of the cell cycle during which the parent cell pinches to give each new daughter cell some cytoplasm.

asexual reproduction

Reproduction that does not involve gametes.

gamete

A sperm or an egg cell.

sexual reproduction

T type of reproduction in which a sperm unites with an egg to form a zygote.

meiosis

The process that reduces by half the amount of DNA present in each sperm or egg cell.

homologous chromosomes

The matching of pairs of chromosomes in a diploid cell.

fertilization

The joining of gametes to form a diploid cell.

zygote

The diploid cell that results from fertilization.