Nucleic Acids (DNA)

Adenine

The purine base that pairs with Thymine in DNA or that Paris with Uracil in RNA

Amino acid

20 different monomers of protein, 9 of which cannot be manufactured and need to be consumed

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA

Base triplet

A sequence of three nucleotide bases in a DNA or RNA molecule that codes for a specific amino acid during protein synthesis

Cell cycle

The series of events that happen in a dividing cell to produce two identical cells

Centromere

Protein structure joining two threads of chromosome

Chromatid

Individual threads that for the chromosome

Chromatid network

The form in which DNA is found in the nucleus of a cell that is not dividing. The chromatin network consists of a mass of long, tangled threads of DNA

Chromosome number

The characteristic number of chromosomes in the cell nucleus in a given species

Chromosome

A threadlike molecule of DNA made up of many genes. It is present in cells that are dividing

Codon

A triplet of nitrogenous bases on a piece of mRNA that codes for a particular amino acid

Complementary bases

Either of the nucleotide bases linked by a hydrogen bond on opposite strands of DNA or double stranded RNA: guanine- cytosine. Adenine- thymine (dna)/ uracil (rna)

Complementary strand

The new strand of DNA that is made based on the sequence of nucleotides on the template DNA

Condensation reaction or Dehydration synthesis

The loss of a H20 molecule that occurs between amino acids as they join to form a peptide bond

Condensed DNA

The process where DNA molecules are packaged into a compacted highly organized structured often involving proteins, to fit within a cells nucleus or other confined spaces like viral capsids

Crispr/ cas9

Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats is a gene- editing technology. It makes it possible to correct errors in the genome and turn on or off genes in cells and organisms quickly, cheaply and with relative ease

Cytoplasm

The part of the protoplasm outside the nucleus

Cytosine

The part of the protoplasm outside the nucleus

Dehydration synthesis reaction (condensation reaction)

The loss of a H2O molecule that occurs between amino acids as they join to form a peptide bond

Deoxyribose

A Penrose sugar found in DNA

DNA

A double stranded helical nucleic acid containing deoxyribose sugar

DNA fingerprinting (profiling)

A laboratory technique used to establish a link between biological evidence and a suspect in a criminal or paternal investigation

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesises DNA molecules from deoxyribnocleotides, the building blocks of DNA. These enzymes are essential for DNA replication and usually works in pairs to create two identical DNA strands from a single original DNA molecule

DNA profile or dna fingerprint

The process of determining an Indian’s dna characteristics

DNA profiling

Procedure used to identify individual organisms based on the unique sequence of nucleotides in each persons dna

DNA replication

The process in interphase during which an exact copy of the DNA is made under the control of DNA polymerase

DNA splicing

To join segments of DNA

Double helix

The spiral arrangement of two complementary strands of DNA OR twisted ladder-like form of the DNA molecule

Endonycleaze

A group of enzymes that break the phosphorite bond present within the polynucleotide chain of a DNA molecule

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction and therefore acts as a catalyst

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body

Eukaryotic cell

Cell containing a nucleus

Eukaryotic cells

Cells or organisms characterized by the presence of a membrane- bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles within their cells

Exon

Any part of a gene that will encode a part of the final mature RNA and protein produced by that gene

Extra/ nuclear DNA

Any DNA found outside the nucleus

Forensic evidence

Biological material collected and analysed from a crime scene to help establish facts in a legal investigation

Gel electrophoresis

A lab technique used to separate DNA RNA or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge. It involves applying an electric field to a gel matrix, causing charged molecules to migrate through the gel. Smaller molecules move faster and travel farther than larger molecules, allowing for separation and analysis of different bio molecules

Gene splicing

Refers to the process by which the DNA of an organism is cut and a gene, perhaps from another organism, is inserted

Gene

A specific part of a strand of Dba that codes for a particular characteristic or that carries the information to make a specific protein

Genetic level

DNA