2.1_DNA_structure_and_Function__1_

Double Helix

The structure of DNA consisting of two intertwined strands.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA, composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Watson and Crick

Scientists who published the structure of DNA in 1953.

Rosalind Franklin

Scientist whose X-ray diffraction images were critical in understanding DNA structure.

Central Dogma of Biology

The framework describing the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Mutations

Changes in nucleotide sequences that can lead to genetic variation.

Codon

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

DNA Replication

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself before cell division.

Adenine

A purine nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA.

Thymine

A pyrimidine nitrogenous base only found in DNA.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA strands during replication.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments during DNA replication.

Okazaki Fragments

Short segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during replication.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Gene

A unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to offspring and determines a characteristic.

Genetic Code

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

Purine

A type of nitrogenous base with a two-ring structure; includes adenine and guanine.

Pyrimidine

A type of nitrogenous base with a single-ring structure; includes cytosine, thymine.

DNA Packaging

The way DNA is folded and organized within the cell nucleus, including structures like chromatin.