DNA RNA Protein Synthesis Vocabulary

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid

nucleotide

A building block of DNA, consisting of a five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.

adenine

A component of nucleic acids, energy-carrying molecules such as ATP, and certain coenzymes. Chemically, it is a purine base.

thymine

A component of nucleic acid that carries hereditary information in DNA in cells. Chemically, it is a pyrimidine base.

guanine

A component of nucleic acids that carries hereditary information in DNA and RNA in cells. Chemically, it is a purine base.

cytosine

A component of nucleic acids that carries hereditary information in DNA and RNA in cells. Chemically, it is a pyrimidine base.

uracil

In RNA molecules, adenine is complementary to

genetic code

collection of codons of mRNA, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid into a protein during protein synthesis

codon

A specific sequence of three adjacent bases on a strand of DNA or RNA that provides genetic code information for a particular amino acid

anticodon

group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon

double helix

The form of native DNA, referring to its two adjacent polynucleotide strands wound into a spiral shape.

gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait

mRNA

A type of RNA, synthesized from DNA, that attaches to ribosomes in the cytoplasm and specifies the primary structure of a protein.

tRNA

An RNA molecule that functions as an interpreter between nucleic acid and protein language by picking up specific amino acids and recognizing the appropriate codons in the mRNA

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA

protein synthesis

Forming proteins based on information in DNA and carried out by RNA

purine

a nitrogenous base such as adenine or guanine; when joined with sugar or phosphate, a component of nucleotides and nucleic acids

pyrimidine

a nitrogen base such as cytosine, thymine and uracil; when joined with sugar or phosphate, a component of nucleotides and nucleic acids

replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

transcription

(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA

translation

(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm

james watson

Scientists that proved the shape of the DNA

francis crick

English biologist who co-discovered the structure of DNA (w/ James Watson)

fred griffith

He compared the effects of two kinds of bacteria on mice. One formed smooth colonies and one formed rough colonies.

oswald avery

Discovered that the nucleic acid in DNA stores and transmits genetic information from one generation of bacteria to the next.

martha chase

One of two scientists who confirmed that DNA is the genetic material

erwin chargaff

Discovered that DNA composition varies, but the amount of adenine is always the same as thymine and the amount of cytosine is always the same as guanine.

transformation

Process in which one strain of bacteria is changed by a gene or genes from another strain of bacteria

base pairing

principle that bonds in DNA can form only between adenine and thymine and between guanine and cytosine

polymearse

join dna together

helicase

An enzyme that untwists the double helix of DNA at the replication forks.

promoter

A specific nucleotide sequence in DNA that binds RNA polymerase and indicates where to start transcribing RNA.

mutations

A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA, ultimately creating genetic diversity. Mutations also can occur in the DNA or RNA of a virus.

point mutation

Gene mutation involving changes in one or a few nucleotides.

frameshift mutation

mutation that shifts the "reading" frame of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide

operon

A unit of genetic function common in bacteria and phages, consisting of coordinately regulated clusters of genes with related functions.

operator

Region of DNA that controls RNA polymerase's access to a set of genes with related functions.