DNA – The Code of Life Practice Flashcards

This flashcard set covers the essential vocabulary regarding DNA and RNA structure, history, replication, profiling, and the stages of protein synthesis as detailed in the lecture notes.

Cytoplasm

The watery base substance in which cell organelles are suspended and where metabolic reactions take place.

Ribosomes

Small, round organelles made of RNA and protein that serve as the site of protein synthesis.

Nucleus

The organelle that controls all of the cell’s activities and contains the genetic material.

Nuclear membrane

A double membrane that encloses the nucleus and contains pores for the passage of substances.

Nucleoplasm

The jelly-like fluid found within the nucleus.

Nucleolus

A dark body suspended in the nucleoplasm that contains free nucleotide bases and produces ribosomes.

Chromatin network

Material in the nucleoplasm containing DNA that forms chromosomes containing the genetic code.

Nucleic acid

A type of organic compound, such as DNA or RNA.

Monomer

A simple building block molecule that links with others to form a polymer.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids consisting of a phosphate ($P$), a sugar molecule ($S$), and a nitrogenous base ($NB$).

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

A nucleic acid made of nucleotides containing deoxyribose sugar and carrying the genetic code for protein synthesis.

Nuclear DNA

DNA specifically located within the nucleus of a cell.

Extra-nuclear DNA

DNA found outside the nucleus, such as mitochondrial DNA or chloroplastic DNA.

Double helix

The spiral, ladder-like shape of DNA consisting of two strands twisted together.

Hereditary

Relating to genetic information passed from parents to offspring.

Rosalind Franklin

A scientist who researched DNA structure using X-ray diffraction images in 1952.

Watson and Crick

Scientists who proposed the 3-D double helix model for DNA in 1953 and received the Nobel Prize in 1962.

Mitochondrial DNA

A type of extra-nuclear DNA found in the mitochondria, useful for tracing ancestry.

Complimentary nitrogenous bases

Specific pairs of bases that join together: Adenine ($A$) with Thymine ($T$) and Guanine ($G$) with Cytosine ($C$).

Histones

Proteins around which DNA strands wind.

Gene

A short section of DNA that codes for a specific trait and determines physical characteristics and behavior.

Non-coding DNA

Sections of DNA strands that do not code for proteins.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

Consists of nucleotides with ribose sugar and nitrogenous bases including uracil ($U$) instead of thymine.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Carries the genetic code for protein synthesis from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Forms the structure of ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Brings specific amino acids to the ribosome to build a protein.

DNA replication

The process occurring during interphase where DNA makes an identical copy of itself.

Mutation

A change in the nitrogenous base sequence of a DNA molecule or gene.

DNA profiling

A pattern of unique lines produced on X-ray film used for identification in forensics and paternity testing.

Amino acids

The monomers of proteins; there are 20 different types.

Peptide bond

The chemical bond that links amino acids together in a protein chain.

Base triplet

A sequence of three consecutive nitrogenous bases on a DNA strand.

Transcription

The first stage of protein synthesis occurring in the nucleus where mRNA is formed from a DNA template.

Translation

The second stage of protein synthesis occurring in the cytoplasm at the ribosome where amino acids are combined to form a protein.

Codon

A sequence of three consecutive nitrogenous bases on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anti-codon

A sequence of three consecutive nitrogenous bases on tRNA that is complementary to an mRNA codon.