DNA & Mutations

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that contains the information that determines inherited characteristics- used to build molecules that make up your body

nucleotide

the building block of DNA (has 3 parts: sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous base)

adenine (A)

The nitrogenous base that pairs with Thymine (T) in DNA

thymine (T)

Nitrogenous base that pairs Adenine (A) in DNA

cytosine (C)

Nitrogenous base that pairs with guanine (G).

guanine (G)

Nitrogenous base that pairs with Cytosine (C) in DNA and RNA

mutation

a change in the nucleotide-base sequence of a gene or DNA molecule

mutagen

something that CAUSES mutations (for example, radiation)

insertion mutation

change in DNA in which a nucleotide is added

deletion mutation

change in DNA in which a nucleotide is lost

substitution mutation

change in DNA in which a single nucleotide is replaced

deoxyribose

sugar molecule that makes up part of the backbone of DNA

phosphate

molecule (not sugar) that makes up part of the backbone of DNA

DNA replication

the process of making a copy of DNA, needed in order to make new cells in mitosis

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Gene

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

codon

a sequence of 3 nucleotides in DNA (or RNA), like a 'word' that is a code for a specific amino acid

carcinogen

A cancer-causing substance

cancer

A disease in which some cells grow and divide uncontrollably (due to mutations), damaging the parts of the body around them.

mitosis

cell division - one cell copies all its parts and divides into two cells

melanin

A pigment that gives the skin its color

folate

vitamin needed for healthy fetal development, destroyed by too much UV

Vitamin D

vitamin needed to absorb calcium to build strong bones, made in the epidermis when skin absorbs UV-B rays

evolutionary advantages for dark skin in high UV intensity areas

protects folate but allows UV-B in enough to produce Vitamin D

evolutionary advantages for light skin in low UV intensity areas

folate is not at risk, allows UV-B in enough to produce Vitamin D

melanocyte

cell that produces brown pigment in the epidermis