Lecture 27 - Nucleic Acids, DNA, and Chromosomes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to nucleic acids, DNA, and chromosomes from the lecture.

Nucleic Acid

Biological macromolecules made of nucleotide chains that store genetic information.

Double Helix

The structure of DNA consisting of two strands twisted around each other.

Denaturation

The process in which DNA unravels and separates into single strands.

Renaturation

The process where two complementary DNA strands rejoin to form a double helix.

Supercoiling

The coiling of DNA that allows it to fit into the cell nucleus.

Nucleotide

The monomer unit of nucleic acids, composed of a nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate group.

Purine

A category of nitrogenous bases including adenine and guanine.

Pyrimidine

A category of nitrogenous bases including cytosine, thymine, and uracil.

Ribose

The sugar found in RNA nucleotides, which has a hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon.

Deoxyribose

The sugar found in DNA nucleotides, which lacks a hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon.

Phosphodiester Bond

The bond formed between nucleotides, linking the 5' phosphate of one nucleotide to the 3' hydroxyl of another.

Nucleoside

A molecule consisting of a sugar and nitrogenous base, without any phosphate groups.

Nucleoside Analog

A molecule that resembles a nucleoside but has a structural difference that affects its function.

Intercalating Agent

A compound that inserts between DNA base pairs, altering its structure and function.

Topoisomerase

An enzyme that manages the overwinding or underwinding of DNA during replication.

Euchromatin

Less condensed form of chromatin that is accessible for transcription.

Heterochromatin

Highly condensed form of chromatin that is generally transcriptionally inactive.

Base Pairing

The specific hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases; A with T and G with C in DNA.

DNA Replication

The process by which a DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.

RNA vs. DNA

RNA contains ribose and uracil; DNA contains deoxyribose and thymine.

Antiparallel Strands

The orientation of DNA strands running in opposite directions.

GC Content

The percentage of guanine and cytosine bases in a DNA molecule, affecting its stability.

Codon

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

RNA Virus

A virus that has RNA as its genetic material.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that uses RNA as its genetic material and replicates through a DNA intermediate.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

A pyrimidine analog used in cancer treatment that inhibits thymidylate synthase.

Doxorubicin

An intercalating agent used as a chemotherapy drug that inhibits DNA replication.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA or RNA fragments based on their size.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of chromatin consisting of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins.

Histone

A family of proteins around which DNA is wrapped to form nucleosomes.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can be induced by DNA damage.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often activating or deactivating it.

Glycosidic Bond

A bond that connects a sugar to a base in nucleotides.

RNA Hydrolysis

The breakdown of RNA by the cleavage of phosphodiester bonds, often under alkaline conditions.

Viral Replication

The process by which viruses reproduce within host cells.

Chromatin Packaging

The process of compacting DNA to fit into the nucleus and regulate gene expression.