AP bio unit 6 vocab

Flashcards covering vocabulary terms related to ap biology unit 6.

Adenine

A type of nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine (T) in DNA and uracil (U) in RNA.

Alternative splicing

A process by which different combinations of exons are joined together to produce multiple mRNA transcripts from a single gene.

Amino acid

The basic building block of proteins, composed of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a unique side chain.

Annealing

The process by which complementary DNA strands bind together through hydrogen bonds.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to a codon in mRNA.

Antiparallel

The arrangement of DNA strands running in opposite directions.

Antisense strand

A strand of DNA that is complementary to the sense strand and is used as a template for mRNA synthesis.

Chromosome

A structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Chromatin

The material of which chromosomes are made, consisting of DNA and proteins.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal during translation.

Conjugation

The process by which genetic material is transferred between bacterial cells through direct contact.

Cytosine

A type of nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with guanine (G).

Deoxyribose

A five-carbon sugar found in DNA.

DNA

A molecule that carries genetic information and is composed of two strands of nucleotides twisted around each other in a double helix.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands using an existing strand as a template.

DNA Sequencing

A process used to determine the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule.

Electrophoresis

A laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge.

Elongation

The phase of translation in which amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain.

Epigenetics

The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence.

Exons

The coding regions of a gene that are transcribed and translated into protein.

GTP cap

A modified guanine nucleotide added to the 5' end of mRNA to protect it from degradation and enhance translation.

Guanine

A type of nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine (C).

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during replication.

Histone

A protein that provides structural support to chromosomes.

Inducible

A gene that can be turned on in the presence of a specific inducer.

Initiation

The start of translation, where the ribosome assembles with the mRNA and the first tRNA.

Introns

The non-coding regions of a gene that are transcribed but removed from the mRNA before translation.

Lac operon

A cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, involved in lactose metabolism in bacteria.

Lagging strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized discontinuously during replication, forming Okazaki fragments.

Leading strand

The DNA strand that is synthesized continuously during replication.

Ligase

An enzyme that joins DNA fragments together by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds.

mRNA

A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Mutation

A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Nitrogenous base

A nitrogen-containing molecule that is a part of a nucleotide.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of chromatin consisting of DNA wound around a histone core.

Okazaki fragments

Short, newly synthesized DNA fragments formed on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Operon

A group of genes that are transcribed together and controlled by a single promoter.

PCR

A technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence.

Plasmid

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and other microorganisms, often used in genetic engineering.

Poly-A Tail

A sequence of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA to protect it from degradation and enhance translation.

Primers

Short, single-stranded DNA sequences used to initiate DNA synthesis during replication.

Promoter

A region of DNA where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription.

Protein

A molecule composed of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.

Purine

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

Pyrimidine

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

Replication

The process of copying DNA to produce two identical DNA molecules.

Retrovirus

A virus that uses RNA as its genetic material and replicates through a DNA intermediate.

Ribose

A five-carbon sugar found in RNA.

Ribosome

A complex of RNA and proteins that synthesizes proteins during translation.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA using a DNA template.

rRNA

A type of RNA that is a component of ribosomes.

Semiconservative

The process of DNA replication in which each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one new strand.

Supercoiling

The over- or under-winding of a DNA strand, which can affect DNA replication and transcription.

Start codon

The codon (AUG) that signals the start of translation.

Stop codon

A codon that signals the end of translation.

Telomere

The protective caps at the ends of chromosomes.

Template

The strand of DNA that is used as a guide for RNA synthesis.

Termination

The conclusion of translation, where the ribosome releases the mRNA and the polypeptide chain.

Thymine

A type of nitrogenous base found in DNA; pairs with adenine (A).

Topoisomerase

An enzyme that relieves strain on DNA by breaking, twisting, and rejoining DNA strands.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Transcription factors

Proteins that bind to DNA and regulate gene expression.

Transduction

The process by which foreign DNA is introduced into a cell by a virus or viral vector.

Transformation

The genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake and incorporation of exogenous genetic material from its surroundings through the cell membrane(s).

Transposition

A process in which genetic elements move from one location to another in the genome.

tRNA

A type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Uracil

A type of nitrogenous base found in RNA; pairs with adenine (A).