PBS 2.2.1-2.2.2 Vocab

differential diagnosis

a list of potential diagnoses compiled early in the assessment of the patient

homologous chromosomes

Pair of chromosomes that are the same size, same appearance and same genes, but are slightly different since one comes from each parent.

Chromatid

one half of a duplicated chromosome

Mitosis

cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes

benign

a tumor whose cells are clumped but not able to metastasize and migrate to new locations

malignant

a tumor that is cancerous and whose cells can migrate to new locations

metastasis

The spread of cancer cells beyond their original site

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination

Messenger RNA

RNA that copies the coded message from DNA in the nucleus and carries the message into the cytoplasm

Transcription

synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template. requires rna polymerase and occurs in the nucleus.

Translation

Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced. happens at the ribosome and requires transfer rna

Substitution

mutation where one nucleotide replaces another, like A to a T

Deletion

mutation where a nucleotide is removed from the sequence, altering the reading frame of all subsequent nucleotides

Insertion

A mutation involving the addition of one or more nucleotide pairs to a gene.

frameshift mutation

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

silent mutation

A mutation that changes a single nucleotide, but does not change the amino acid created.