Genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
Codon
three-nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid
Nucleotide
A building block of DNA, consisting of a five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.
Deoxyribose
sugar found in DNA
nitrogenous base
An organic base that contains nitrogen, such as a purine or pyrimidine; a subunit of a nucleotide in DNA and RNA
Purine
a nitrogenous base that has a double-ring structure; one of the two general categories of nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; either adenine or guanine
Pyrimidine
a nitrogenous base that has a single-ring structure; one of the two general categories of nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; thymine, cytosine, or uracil
complimentary base pairs
A-T G-C
base sequence
The four bases in DNA are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). These bases form specific pairs (A with T, and G with C).
Anticodon
A sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.
Genetic code
Genetic code refers to the instructions contained in a gene that tell a cell how to make a specific protein
DNA replication
DNA unzips into two parts and splits with the cell. In it's new home each side of the DNA strand attack to matching nucleotides to create 2 exact copies. It is important in puberty and other times of growth as it is the reproducing of your cells.
Helicase
An enzyme that untwists the double helix of DNA at the replication forks.
Replication fork
a Y-shaped point that results when the two strands of a DNA double helix separate so that the DNA molecule can be replicated
DNA polymerase
Enzyme involved in DNA replication that joins individual nucleotides to produce a DNA molecule
Semi-conservative replication
Method of DNA replication in which parental strands separate, act as templates, and produce molecules of DNA with one parental DNA strand and one new DNA strand
RNA
A single-stranded nucleic acid that passes along genetic messages
Transcription
(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA
Translation
Process by which mRNA is decoded into polypeptide and a protein is produced
Protein synthesis
the formation of proteins by using information contained in DNA and carried by mRNA
Ribose
sugar in RNA/Protien
mRNA
messenger RNA; type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome
tRNA
transfer RNA; type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome
rRNA
ribosomal RNA; type of RNA that makes up part of the ribosome
RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase is an enzyme that is responsible for copying a DNA sequence into an RNA sequence, duyring the process of transcription.
Promoter
specific region of a gene where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription
which two nitrogen bases are smaller (pyrimidines) and which two are larger (purines).
The purines, adenine and thymine, are smaller two-ringed bases, while the pyrimidines, cytosine and uracil, are larger and have a single ring.
Define double helix
The structure of DNA where two strands wrap around each other to form a long, twisted ladder
Explain how DNA is replicated and the roles of the enzymes helicase and DNA polymerase
First, an enzyme called a DNA helicase separates the two strands of the DNA double helix. This forms a structure called a replication fork that has two exposed single strands. Other enzymes called DNA polymerases then use each strand as a template to build a new matching DNA strand.
What is the cell cycle? and what are the steps
The cell cycle is a four-stage process in which the cell increases in size (gap 1, or G1, stage), copies its DNA (synthesis, or S, stage), prepares to divide (gap 2, or G2, stage), and divides (mitosis, or M, stage).
DNA happens in what phase
It happens in the S phase
WHY DNA replication is a critical step in the Cell Cycle.
Replication is an essential process because, whenever a cell divides, the two new daughter cells must contain the same genetic information, or DNA, as the parent cell.
Explain where transcription occurs and why, including how it happens
Transcription begins when RNA polymerase binds to a promoter sequence near the beginning of a gene (directly or through helper proteins).
what are the modifications to the mRNA before it leaves the nucleus
splicing, capping, and addition of a poly-A tail,
where translation happens and what occurs during the process. Be sure to include the role of mRNA, codons, anti-codons, tRNA, amino acids, ribosomes, and stop codons.
During transcription, a piece of DNA that codes for a specific gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus of the cell. The Codons are used to make it into RNA base to use the anti-codons to make the mRNA.The mRNA then carries the genetic information from the DNA to the cytoplasm, where translation occurs.
Understand mutations (DNA and chromosomal) and their impact organism.
Genetic mutations could lead to genetic conditions like cancer, or they could help humans better adapt to their environment over time.
Point mutations are
a mutation affecting only one or very few nucleotides in a gene sequence.
Frameshift mutations are
A frameshift mutation in a gene refers to the insertion or deletion of nucleotide bases in numbers that are not multiples of three.
chromosomal mutations are
A chromosomal mutation is a mutation involving a long segment of DNA.