Nucleic Acids and Genetics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards related to nucleic acids, genetics, and molecular biology, covering topics from nucleotide structure to genomics.

NUCLEIC ACIDS

Polymers of nucleotides consisting of a N-containing base (Purines: A, G; Pyrimidines: C, U, T), a sugar (Ribose in RNA, 2'-deoxyribose in DNA), and a phosphate group.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases with a double-ring structure; includes Adenine (A) and Guanine (G).

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases with a single-ring structure; includes Cytosine (C), Uracil (U), and Thymine (T).

PUGA

Mnemonic: Purines are Guanine and Adenine.

CUT the PY

Mnemonic: Pyrimidines are Cytosine, Uracil, and Thymine.

NUCLEOSIDES

Purine or pyrimidine + 5-C sugar (Ribose or 2'-deoxyribose). Purine linked via N9, Pyrimidine linked via N1.

NUCLEOTIDES

Nucleosides + 1-3 phosphate groups. Phosphate group linked via C5' of sugar.

Nucleoside

Base + Sugar

Nucleotide

Base + Sugar + Phosphate

Phosphodiester bond

Linkage between nucleotides, where a phosphate group forms an ester bond with C5' and C3'.

Chargaff’s Rules

Amount of A = Amount of T, Amount of C = Amount of G, and A+G = C+T

DNA REPLICATION

The process where DNA strands separate and direct the synthesis of complementary strands, generating 2 identical double-stranded molecules.

Mnemonic for Mitosis - Prophase:

Prepare

Mnemonic for Mitosis - Metaphase:

Middle

Mnemonic for Mitosis - Anaphase:

Apart/Away

Mnemonic for Mitosis - Telophase:

The End

GENOME

Organism's complete set of genetic information.

DNA TRANSCRIPTION

One strand of DNA used as a template to make RNA. RNA polymerase reads this strand and builds a matching RNA strand.

messenger RNA (mRNA)

Carries the same genetic message as the gene after transcription.

DNA TRANSLATION

mRNA is translated by a ribosome consisting of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Special molecules called transfer RNA (tRNA) carry amino acids and recognize codons in mRNA.

GENE MUTATIONS

Permanent change in DNA, such as single-nucleotide substitution, insertion or deletion of nucleotides, or rearrangements of chromosomal segments.

GENOMICS

Study of an organism's complete set of genes.