Chromosome Structure and Transposition

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to chromosome structure and transposition, including definitions and key concepts introduced in the lecture.

Chromosomes

Structures that contain genetic material, organized in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material possessed by an organism.

Prokaryotic Chromosomes

Usually a single, circular chromosome found in bacteria.

Eukaryotic Chromosomes

Linear chromosomes found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Centromere

The constricted region of a chromosome that plays a role in chromosome segregation during cell division.

Telomere

Repeated sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect against degradation and maintain length.

Nucleoid

The region in prokaryotic cells where the chromosome is located, not membrane-bound.

DNA Supercoiling

The twisting of double-stranded DNA, which can affect its function and structure.

Transposable Elements (TEs)

DNA segments that can be inserted into new locations within the genome, also known as 'jumping genes'.

Transposition

The process of moving transposable elements within the genome.

Topoisomerase

Enzymes that manage the overwinding and underwinding of DNA.

Nucleosome

The basic unit of chromatin, consisting of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Heterochromatin

Tightly packed form of DNA, generally transcriptionally inactive.

Euchromatin

Less condensed form of DNA, typically transcriptionally active.

Retrotransposons

A type of transposable element that moves via an RNA intermediate.

Intergenic regions

Nontranscribed DNA segments located between genes.

Microdomains

Loop structures of bacterial chromosomes that help in compaction.

Genetic material

The DNA that contains the instructions for producing an organism.

Exon shuffling

The process by which exons are recombined to create new genes.

Antibiotic resistance genes

Genes that provide bacteria with the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics.