MICR1A_7_Bacterial Genetics

Eukaryotic

Organisms with complex cell structures that contain a nucleus.

Microbial

Relating to microorganisms, which can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

Nucleus

The cellular structure where genetic material is located in eukaryotic cells.

Cytoplasm

The location where genetic material is found in prokaryotic cells and where transcription and translation occur.

Central Dogma

The theory proposed by Francis Crick in 1956 that describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Expression

The process by which genetic information is used to produce proteins necessary for cell function.

Recombination

The horizontal transfer of genetic information between cells of the same generation.

Replication

The vertical transfer of genetic information to the next generation of cells.

DNA Gyrase

An enzyme that relaxes supercoiling in DNA.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins DNA strands by making covalent bonds, important for Okazaki fragments.

DNA Polymerases

Enzymes that synthesize DNA and proofread for errors.

Endonucleases

Enzymes that cut the DNA backbone within a strand of DNA.

Exonucleases

Enzymes that cut DNA from the exposed ends.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds double-stranded DNA.

Methylase

An enzyme that adds methyl groups to DNA.

Photolyase

An enzyme that separates UV-induced pyrimidine dimers.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA primers.

Ribozyme

An RNA enzyme that removes introns and splices exons.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

snRNP

RNA-protein complexes that function similarly to ribozymes.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in the substitution of a different amino acid in a protein.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that creates a stop codon, preventing the synthesis of a functional protein.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the deletion or insertion of nucleotides, shifting the translation reading frame.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Spontaneous Mutations

Mutations that occur without known mutagens.

Induced Mutations

Mutations that occur due to exposure to mutagens.

Mutagenesis

The process of producing mutations.

Mutagens

Agents that increase the frequency of mutations.

Nitrous Acid

A mutagen that converts adenine to pair with cytosine instead of thymine.

Nucleoside Analog

Compounds that are incorporated into DNA, causing base pairing mistakes.

Intercalating Agents

Substances that insert between base pairs, leading to the addition of base pairs.

X Rays and Gamma Rays

Forms of radiation that can cause mutations by ionizing atoms and breaking covalent bonds.

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

Causes harmful covalent bonds between pyrimidine bases, leading to thymine dimers.

Genetic Recombination

The exchange of genes between two DNA molecules to form new gene combinations.

Vertical Gene Transfer

The transfer of genes from an organism to its offspring.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The lateral transfer of genes between microbes.

Donor Cell

The cell that provides a portion of its DNA to another cell.

Recipient Cell

The cell that receives DNA from a donor cell.

Recombinant

A recipient cell that has incorporated donor DNA into its own DNA.

Transformation

The process of transferring genes as "naked" DNA in solution.

Conjugation

The direct transfer of DNA between two bacteria through cell contact.

Transduction

The transfer of bacterial DNA from a donor to a recipient via a bacteriophage.