Molecular Basis of Inheritance

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the molecular basis of inheritance as discussed in the lecture.

DNA

A polymer of nucleotides that carries genetic information.

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Deoxyribose

The sugar component of DNA, missing an oxygen atom compared to ribose.

Double Helix

The structure of DNA consisting of two strands wound around each other.

Antiparallel

The orientation of the two strands of DNA running in opposite directions, one from 5' to 3' and the other from 3' to 5'.

Five Prime (5')

One end of the DNA strand where a phosphate group is attached to carbon 5 of the sugar.

Three Prime (3')

The end of the DNA strand where a hydroxyl group is attached to carbon 3 of the sugar.

Semi-Conservative Replication

The method of DNA replication where each new double helix consists of one old strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Helicase

The enzyme that unwinds and separates the two strands of DNA during replication.

DNA Polymerase

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the growing chain.

Lagging Strand

The strand of DNA that is synthesized discontinuously in small fragments during replication.

Leading Strand

The strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously toward the replication fork during replication.

DNA Ligase

The enzyme that joins together Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Primase

The enzyme that synthesizes a short RNA primer to initiate DNA replication.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can be passed to the next generation if it occurs in germline cells.

Telomeres

Special nucleotide sequences at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that protect genes from erosion.

Telomerase

The enzyme that extends the length of telomeres in germline cells.