vocabulary 4: Central Dogma

double helix

twisted – ladder shape of DNA, formed by two nucleotides strands twisted around each other

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

A molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses

nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, consisting of three components, a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base

nucleus

Center of an atom; contains neutrons and protons. And eukaryotic cells, the central membrane – bound organelle that manages cellular functions and contains DNA.

ribosome

simple cell organelle that helps manufacture proteins

Semiconservative 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

DNA polymerase

enzyme that catalyzes synthesis of new DNA molecules

Okazaki fragment

Short segment of DNA synthesis, discontinuously and small segments in the 3 to 5 direction by DNA polymerase

Ribonucleic acid

guides protein synthesis

Messenger RNA

Type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to direct protein synthesis in the cytoplasm

transfer RNA

A type of RNA that transports amino acids to the ribosome

ribosomal RNA

type of RNA that associates with proteins to form ribosomes

transcription

process in which MRNA is synthesized from the template DNA

RNA polymerase

enzyme that regulates RNA synthesis

intron

in RNA processing, the intervening coding sequence missing from the final mRNA

Exon

in RNA processing, the coding sequence that remains in the final mRNA

codon

three – base code in DNA or RNA

translation

The process of synthesis, a protein from an mRNA template, where the genetic information and the form of nucleotides codons is converted into a specific sequence of amino acids

anticodon

Trinucleotide sequence, complementary to that of a corresponding codon in a messenger or an a sequence

gene

the basic unit of heredity, a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for a specific trait or function in an organism

operon

a cluster of genes in prokaryotes that are transcribed together as a single unit, regulated by a single promoter and operator

mutation

permanent change in a cells, DNA, ranging from changes in a single base pair to deletion of large sections of chromosomes

Mutagen

substance, such as a chemical, that causes mutations

Point mutation

A genetic alteration where a single nucleotide base pair in the DNA sequence is changed, substituted, or swapped for another

missense mutation

A type of point mutation where one nucleotide in the DNA sequence is replaced with another, resulting in a change in the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by that gene

nonsense mutation

A genetic mutation that results in a prematurely, truncated protein, which is often nonfunctional

Frameshift mutation

A type of genetic mutation that occurs when one or more nucleotides are inserted or deleted from a DNA sequence in a number that is not a multiple of three

gene regulation

ability of an organism to control which genes are transcribed in response to the environment

protein

organic compound made of amino acids joined by peptide bonds; primary building block of organisms

enzyme

protein that speeds up a biological reaction by lowering the activation energy needed to start the reaction

amino acid

carbon compound joined by peptide bonds; building block of proteins