4.1 cell division and genetic material part 2

Double helix

The spiral shape formed by two long strands of DNA.

Chromatin

Strands of DNA that exist during most of the cell cycle.

Chromosome

Condensed chromatin that forms during cell division.

Nucleotide

The individual units that make up each strand of DNA.

Base

One of the four nitrogen bases (adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine) that compose a nucleotide.

Phosphate group

A component of a nucleotide that provides structural support.

Sugar group

Deoxyribose, a component of a nucleotide.

Hydrogen bonds

Bonds that hold the bases of DNA strands together.

Phosphodiester bonds

Bonds that connect nucleotides in a DNA strand.

Base-pairing

The specific pairing of bases (A=T, G=C) in DNA.

5' - 3'

The directional polarity of a DNA molecule.

DNA replication

The process of producing two identical replicas of a DNA molecule.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains a specific sequence and forms traits.

Chromatin

Thin fibers of DNA that exist during most of the cell cycle.

Chromosome

Condensed chromatin that forms during cell division.

Telomere

The "caps" at the end of a chromosome that become shorter with each cell division.

Genetic code

The information stored in DNA that provides instructions for cell processes.

Hereditary information

The genetic information passed down from parents to offspring.