The Nature of the Gene and the Genome

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the nature of genes, their structure, and the complexity of genomes.

Gene

Discrete factors maintained throughout the life of an organism and passed on to progeny.

Chromosome

The physical carrier of genes, composed of DNA and associated proteins.

DNA

The genetic material in all organisms, composed of nucleotides.

Nucleotide

Building block of DNA, composed of a phosphate, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Pyrimidine

A type of nitrogenous base including thymine (T) and cytosine (C).

Purine

A type of nitrogenous base including adenine (A) and guanine (G).

Antiparallel

Description of the two chains of nucleotides in DNA running in opposite directions.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak bonds that hold the two chains of DNA together via base pairing.

Genome

The unique collective body of the genetic material of an organism.

Denaturation

The process by which the DNA double helices are separated into two strands.

Renaturation

The ability of single-stranded DNA molecules to reassociate with correct base pairing.

Transposable elements

Genetic elements capable of moving around the genome, also known as 'jumping genes'.

Transposon

A type of transposable element that can move within the genome.

Retrotransposon

A type of transposable element that moves by copying and pasting.