Molecular Structure of DNA and RNA

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the molecular structure of DNA and RNA, including experiments that contributed to our understanding of genetic material and the significance of DNA in genetics.

Molecular Genetics

The study of DNA structure and function at the molecular level.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material that contains the information necessary to make an entire organism.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; a molecule that plays several roles in the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

Transformation

The process whereby a bacterium takes up DNA from its environment and incorporates it into its own genome.

Nucleotide

The repeating structural unit of DNA and RNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Avery-MacLeod-McCarty Experiment

An experiment that identified DNA as the genetic material by showing that only purified DNA could transform type R bacteria into type S.

Chargaff's Rule

A principle stating that in DNA, the amount of adenine equals the amount of thymine, and the amount of cytosine equals the amount of guanine.

Double Helix

The structure formed by double-stranded DNA, characterized by two strands that twist around each other.

Transposable Elements

DNA sequences that can change their position within the genome, sometimes creating or reversing mutations.

Hybrid Dysgenesis

A phenomenon observed in Drosophila melanogaster where crossing certain strains leads to abnormalities and increased mutation rates.