DNA Structure, Function, and Replication

A series of flashcards covering the key concepts related to DNA structure, function, replication, transcription, translation, gene mutations, and regulation.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The molecule that contains the instructions for organismal traits and stores heritable information.

Nucleotide

The monomer of DNA composed of a 5-carbon deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and one of four nitrogenous bases.

Antiparallel Strands

The orientation of DNA strands that run in opposite directions (5’ to 3’ and 3’ to 5’).

Telomeres

Long nonsense DNA sequences at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that protect against degradation.

Central Dogma of Biology

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to Protein.

DNA Replication

A semiconservative process that ensures continuity of hereditary information by synthesizing new strands of DNA from old templates.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands during replication.

Okazaki Fragments

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

Transcription

The process by which RNA polymerase synthesizes an mRNA copy from the DNA template.

Exon

Sequences of mRNA that code for part of the protein.

Intron

Non-coding sequences of mRNA that are removed during post-transcriptional processing.

Point Mutation

A mutation that involves a change in a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.

Lytic Cycle

A viral replication cycle where the virus infects a host cell and causes it to lyse, releasing new viral particles.

Restriction Enzymes

Molecular scissors used by scientists to cut DNA at specific sequences for cloning and analysis.

Gene Regulation

Processes that control which genes are expressed in an organism, allowing for differential gene expression.

Operon

A unit of genetic regulation in prokaryotes that consists of multiple genes controlled together.

Housekeeping Genes

Genes that must be constantly produced to maintain basic cellular functions and homeostasis.