Chromosome

BIOLOGY TEST

DNA

a molecule carrying genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms.

RNA

a molecule that carries out the instructions in DNA synthesis and gene expression

3 parts of a nucleotide

Sugar, phosphate, and base

DNA backbone

sugar (deoxyribose) + phosphate

Base pairing

bonding between nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA. In DNA, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).

Central Dogma

The process of genetic information flowing from DNA → RNA → protein

mRNA

a type of RNA that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes

tRNA

brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis

rRNA

 makes up the structure of ribosomes with proteins and helps catalyze protein synthesis.

Uracil

a nitrogenous base found in RNA, which pairs with adenine.

Differentiate between DNA and RNA

• Sugar name differences - Deoxyribose and ribose acid 

• Strands - DNA = Double Helix / RNA = Single-stranded 

• Differences with Adenine pairs - DNA = Thymine / RNA = Uracil

Semi-conservative

a method of DNA replication in which each new DNA molecule consists of one new strand and one old strand.

Eukaryotic cell

a cell with a nucleus (animal and plant cells)

prokaryotic cell

a cell without a nucleus ( fungi and bacterial cells)

When does DNA replication occur?

S phase

Why is DNA replication important?

Ensures genetic consistency, growth, and repair

What is DNA replication?

Copying of DNA for cell division

What are enzymes?

Proteins that accelerate chemical reactions

Helicase

Unwinds DNA strands during replication

Topoisomerase

relieves DNA strain during replication

Single-stranded binding protein

stabilizes single-stranded DNA during replication

primase

synthesizes RNA primer for replication

polymerase

synthesizes DNA or RNA strands

Ligase

Joins DNA strands during replication

Antiparallel

two strands running in opposite directions

Okazaki fragments

short DNA segments on lagging strand