Microbial Genetics

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to microbial genetics, their definitions, and concepts discussed in the lecture.

Genetics

The study of heredity, how genes are passed on and expressed.

Genome

Total of genetic material in a cell, including all of its DNA.

Genes

Pieces of DNA that contain instructions for a trait or function.

Chromosomes

Discrete cellular structures composed of neatly packaged DNA.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism; the information written in the DNA.

Phenotype

The physical expression or characteristics of that genotype.

Alleles

Variant forms of a specific gene, inherited from each parent.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a trait (e.g., BB, bb).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait (e.g., Bb).

Dominant Allele

An allele that is expressed even if only one copy is present.

Recessive Allele

An allele that is expressed only if two copies are present.

Nucleotide

The basic structural unit of DNA, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Double Helix

The structure of DNA, consisting of two intertwined strands.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

DNA Polymerase III

The enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands during replication.

RNA Polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes mRNA during transcription.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Codons

Three-base sequences in mRNA that specify amino acids.

Genetic Disorders

Diseases caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes.