Nucleic Acids

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to nucleic acids, their structure, function, and processes involved in genetic expression.

Nucleic Acid

A biological macromolecule that carries genetic information, primarily DNA and RNA.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms.

Chromosome

A thread-like structure composed of DNA and protein that carries genetic information.

Base Pair

Two nitrogenous bases that are connected by hydrogen bonds forming the rungs of the DNA ladder.

Purines

A type of nitrogenous base that includes adenine (A) and guanine (G) with a two-ring structure.

Pyrimidines

A type of nitrogenous base that includes cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U) with a single-ring structure.

Semi-conservative replication

The method by which DNA replicates, where each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one new strand.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from the mRNA sequence.

Exon

A coding region of a gene that is expressed and translated into protein.

Intron

A non-coding region of a gene that is removed during RNA processing.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of a eukaryotic chromosome, comprising a segment of DNA wound around a core of histone proteins.

Aminoacyl-tRNA

A tRNA molecule that is linked to its corresponding amino acid.

Genetic Code

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid.

Start Codon

The codon that signals the beginning of translation; typically AUG.

Stop Codon

A codon that signals the termination of protein synthesis; includes UAA, UAG, and UGA.

Mutagen

An agent that causes changes in the DNA sequence.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that links DNA fragments together during DNA replication and repair.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the double-stranded DNA, separating the strands to facilitate replication.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.