DNA Running Notes

9/29 - 10/3 (for DNA Quiz)

Chromatin

The usable form of DNA that contains histone proteins and exists in groups of 8.

Chromosome

The moving form of DNA, which condenses during cell division.

Karyotype

A picture of the complete set of chromosomes, stained to show a banding pattern.

Homologous chromosomes

Chromosomes that are the same size and shape, have the same banding pattern, and contain the same genes at the same loci.

Somatic cells

Body cells such as skin cells, liver cells, and eye cells.

Central Dogma

The process by which DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins.

Semiconservative

New DNA is composed of one daughter strand and one parent strand

Helicase

An enzyme that opens the DNA at the point of origin during replication.

Primase

An enzyme that lays down RNA primers during DNA replication, enabling DNA polymerase to synthesize new DNA.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that builds new DNA strands in the 5’ to 3’ direction and requires a primer.

Ligase

An enzyme that seals nicks between Okazaki fragments and other DNA segments during replication.

Antiparallel

Describing the opposite directionality of the two strands in a DNA molecule (3' to 5' and 5' to 3').

SSBP