Microbial Genetics

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the key concepts from the lecture notes on microbial genetics.

Genetics

The study of genes, how they carry information, how that information is expressed, and how genes are replicated.

Chromosomes

Structures containing DNA that physically carry hereditary information; they contain genes.

Genes

Segments of DNA that encode functional products, usually proteins.

Genome

All the genetic information in a cell.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The expression of the genes.

DNA

The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life.

DNA Replication

The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself.

Okazaki fragments

Short sequences of DNA synthesized discontinuously during DNA replication.

DNA polymerase

Enzyme that adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand during replication.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing a complementary RNA strand from a DNA template.

Translation

The conversion of mRNA into a sequence of amino acids to form proteins.

Codon

A group of three mRNA nucleotides that codes for a particular amino acid.

Mutations

Permanent changes in the base sequence of DNA.

Mutagens

Agents that cause mutations.

Plasmids

Self-replicating circular pieces of DNA found in bacteria.

Transposons

Segments of DNA that can move from one region of DNA to another.

Conjugation

The transfer of plasmids from one bacterium to another through cell-to-cell contact.

Transduction

The process by which DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a bacteriophage.

RecA protein

A protein that catalyzes the joining of DNA strands during genetic recombination.