Human Genome and DNA Structure

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the human genome and DNA structure based on lecture notes.

Genome

The complete complement of DNA in a cell.

Nucleoid

The region in a prokaryotic cell containing its genetic material.

Chromosome

A complex of DNA and proteins that organizes genetic material in eukaryotic cells.

Diploid

A cell containing two matched sets of chromosomes, denoted as 2n.

Haploid

A cell containing one set of chromosomes, denoted as n.

X-ray crystallography

A method for investigating molecular structure by observing X-ray patterns from crystals.

Chargaff's rules

The rules stating that adenine equals thymine and cytosine equals guanine in DNA.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA, consisting of a deoxyribose, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

Purine

A type of nitrogenous base with a double-ring structure (e.g., adenine and guanine).

Pyrimidine

A type of nitrogenous base with a single-ring structure (e.g., cytosine and thymine).

Sugar-phosphate backbone

The structural framework of DNA formed by alternating sugars and phosphate groups.

Hydrogen bonds

The weak bonds that hold the two strands of DNA together between nitrogenous bases.