Biological Concepts and Molecular Biology

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in molecular biology, including enzymes, gene structure, nucleotide interactions, and various biological processes.

DNA ligase

An enzyme used to bind DNA fragments together.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme responsible for RNA synthesis, building polymers of RNA.

Exons

The expressed (coding) regions of eukaryotic genes.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures that facilitate the process of translation.

Ribosome

A complex composed of a large 60S subunit and a smaller 40S subunit, along with associated RNA.

Adenine

The nucleotide that is the complementary base of Thymine in DNA.

25,000

The approximate number of genes in the human genome.

5’ to 3’

The direction in which DNA is 'read'.

Codons

The three-letter words in DNA and RNA.

Introns

Non-coding sequences in mRNA that are removed before it exits the nucleus.

tRNA

The molecules that bring amino acids to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Peptidyl transferase

The enzyme that catalyzes the peptide bond formation reaction.

Methylation

The process by which the addition of a methyl group prevents gene transcription.

Restriction endonucleases

Specialized enzymes that cut DNA at specified palindromic sequences.

Bacteriophage

Viruses that infect bacteria.

A, P, and E sites

The three binding sites on the ribosome.

AUG

The start codon that signals the addition of the amino acid methionine.

21

The total number of amino acids used in all living things.

Stop codons

The three-letter codes that signal the end of a gene (UAA, UAG, UGA).

Pyrimidines

The category of nitrogenous bases including Cytosine and Thymine.

Candida spp.

The fungus that causes yeast infections and Thrush.

Escherichia coli

The most commonly used bacteria in a biology lab setting.

Epstein-Barr Virus

The virus known as 'the kissing disease' that infects B cells.

Lytic cycle

The cycle involving the stages of attachment, infiltration, replication, and assembly of viruses.

Gram Negative

Bacterial cells with an outer layer of lipopolysaccharide that does not absorb crystal violet dye.

None

The best antibiotic for treating viral infections.

Staphylococcus

The type of bacteria associated with MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant strain.

Bacterial

The type of infectious organism that causes Tetanus.

Ringworm

A disease caused by a fungus.

Plasmodium

The parasite that causes Malaria.

Coccus

A spherical type of bacterial cell.

Ixodes (Tick)

An example of an ectoparasite.

None of the above

The choice for the best antibiotic for viral infections.

Double helix

The secondary structure formed by DNA.

DNA helicase

The enzyme that unzips DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds between strands.

Hydrogen

The type of bond that holds the two strands of DNA together.

Deoxyribose

The sugar molecule in DNA.

Telomere

A region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, protecting it from deterioration.

Mutagen

A substance that causes mutations in DNA.

Epigenetics

An inherited change in gene expression that does not involve a change to the underlying DNA sequence.

5’ to 3’

The direction in which DNA can be read.