Week 5

Flashcards for key terms and concepts from Lecture 5 of Applied Microbiology.

Sanitation

The process of maintaining hygienic conditions to promote health and prevent disease.

Bacteriostatic agents

Agents that inhibit the growth of bacteria without killing them.

CRISPR Cas

A powerful editing tool in molecular biology that allows scientists to make precise alterations to DNA.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

Replication fork

The area where the double-stranded DNA splits into two single strands during replication.

Leading strand

The strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously in the direction of the replication fork.

Lagging strand

The strand of DNA that is synthesized discontinuously, creating segments known as Okazaki fragments.

Transcription

The process of converting DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the information from mRNA.

Operon

A cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter and operator.

Polycistronic mRNA

Messenger RNA that encodes multiple proteins.

Point mutation

A mutation affecting a single nucleotide base pair in the DNA.

Transposons

Mobile genetic elements that can move within and between genomes.

Gene cassette

A set of genes that can be captured and expressed together, often within transposons.

Beta-galactosidase

An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose.

Codon

A set of three nucleotides that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Ribosome

The cellular machinery where translation occurs, synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Lysogenic cycle

A phase of viral infection where the virus's DNA integrates into the host's genome without killing it.

Lytic cycle

A phase of viral infection where the virus replicates and ultimately destroys the host cell.

Competent cells

Bacterial cells that can take up and incorporate foreign DNA from their environment.

Transformation

The uptake of naked DNA from the environment by a bacterium.

Conjugation

The direct transfer of genetic material between bacteria through cell-to-cell contact.

Transduction

The transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage.