Introductory Genetics: DNA, Chromosomes, Genes, and Traits

Vocabulary flashcards defining basic concepts, structure, base pairing, and organization of DNA, genes, and chromosomes from the lecture.

Spike

A Texas rat snake classroom pet used to illustrate concepts like predation, mitosis, and heredity.

Heredity

How traits are passed down from parent to offspring.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; a type of nucleic acid located in the nuclei of nearly all body cells that contains an organism's genetic code for traits.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and a base.

Deoxyribose

The sugar component that forms part of a DNA nucleotide.

Sugar Phosphate Backbone

The structural frame of DNA formed by the sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate parts of nucleotides.

Adenine (A)

One of the four bases in DNA that specifically pairs with thymine (T).

Thymine (T)

One of the four bases in DNA that specifically pairs with adenine (A).

Cytosine (C)

One of the four bases in DNA that specifically pairs with guanine (G).

Guanine (G)

One of the four bases in DNA that specifically pairs with cytosine (C).

Apples in the tree

A popular mnemonic used to remember that the base adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T).

Car in the garage

A popular mnemonic used to remember that the base cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).

Hydrogen Bonds

Chemical bonds that hold paired DNA bases together in the middle of the strands.

Double Helix

The twisted shape formed by the two strands of DNA.

Genes

Portions of DNA that can code for proteins involved in expressing traits.

Gene Regulation

The variety of mechanisms that allow genes to be turned on or turned off in body cells.

Chromosome

An organized unit of compacted DNA wrapped around protein structures; nearly every human body cell contains $46$ chromosomes, while human sperm and egg cells contain $23$ chromosomes.