Structure and Function of DNA

Adenine

one of the 4 DNA bases that pairs w/ thymine. A purine base essential for genetic coding and energy storage in cells

antiparallel

DNA strands that run parallel but in opposite directions (5’-3’ ; 3’-5’)

base pairs

matched sets of bases that connect 2 strands

complementary

DNA strands that have matching base pairs, double helixes.

cytosine

DNA base that pairs with guanine. Pyrimidine base essential for genetic info storage/ cell funtion

Deoxyribose

sugar component of DNA that lacks one hydroxyl group compared to ribose

DNA polymerase

enzyme that builds new DNA strands during replication by adding complementary nucleotides

Guanine

base that pairs with cytosine. genetic coding and cellular energy processes

helicase

enzyme that unwinds DNA by breaking hydrogen bonds between base pairs

lagging strand

strand synthesized discontinuously in short fragments

leading strand

strand synthesized continuously in the 5’-3’ direction

Ligase

enzyme that joins DNA fragments together

nucleoside

nitrogenous base attached to sugar w/o phosphate group

nucleotide

complete building blocks of DNA consisting of a base, sugar, phosphate group

okazaki fragments

short DNA segments synthesized on the lagging strand

PCR polymerase chain reaction

lab technique that amplifies specific DNA sequences millions of times

primase

enzymes that create short RNA primers needed to start replication

primer

short RNA sequences that provide starting points for DNA synthesis

purine

larger nitrogenous bases

pyrimidine

smaller nitrogenous bases

RNA

single stranded genetic material that transmits info from DNA and helps make proteins

thymine

base pairs w/ adenine; genetic information

topoisomerase

enzyme that relieves tension and prevents tangling as DNA unwinds

uracil

RNA base replaces thymine. pairs with adenine, only in RNA