Chapter10

DNA

A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information for living organisms and is responsible for protein synthesis.

RNA

A nucleic acid that plays a role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Protein Synthesis

The process by which proteins are made from amino acids based on the information encoded in mRNA.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of decoding mRNA to synthesize proteins.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; a type of RNA that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; a type of RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; a type of RNA that makes up the ribosome and assists in protein synthesis.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, coded for by the genetic information.

DNA Replication

The process by which DNA is copied before cell division.

Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases (Adenine with Thymine, Guanine with Cytosine) in DNA.

Mutation

Any change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which can affect protein synthesis.

Point Mutation

A change in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that shifts the reading frame of the genetic message.

Chromosomal Aberration

A major change in the DNA structure at the level of the chromosome, including inversions, translocations, duplications, and deletions.

Intron

Non-coding sequences in a gene that are removed during RNA processing.

Exon

Coding sequences in a gene that remain in the mature RNA after processing.

Promoter

A region of DNA that initiates transcription of a particular gene.

Terminator Sequence

A sequence in DNA that signals the end of transcription.

Gene Expression

The process through which a gene's information is converted into the structures and functions of a cell.