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DNA
The information in DNA generates diversity in function and among different species. It provides the physical mechanism of heredity and consists of a sequence of nucleotides.
Nucleotides
They are the building blocks of DNA and consist of a phosphate group, a sugar group, and a base. There are four types of nucleotides in DNA:adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine.
Base Pair Bonding
Nucleotides in DNA show strict base pair bonding. Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine.
Gene
In classical genetics, a gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. It is a discrete sequence of DNA that encodes proteins.
Genome
The genome is the entire collection of chromosomes in each cell of an organism.
Locus
A locus is a designated location on a chromosome, which can be a gene or a non-coding region of DNA.
Allele
Alleles are different versions of the same gene. They can be rare, and often there is more than one allele in a population, making the trait polymorphic.
Heterozygous
Heterozygous refers to a condition where the two copies of the alleles at a locus are different.
Haploid
Haploid refers to cells that have a single set of chromosomes.
Genotype
Genotype is the actual alleles present in an individual.
Protein
Proteins are made up of a particular sequence of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids, and each amino acid is encoded by a specific codon of three nucleotides.
Genetic Code
The genetic code consists of 61 triplet codons that represent 20 amino acids, and three triplet codons signify a stop signal.
Chromosome
A chromosome is a collection of genes packaged in a compacted manner to manage the storage, duplication, expression, and evolution of DNA.
Gene Duplication
Gene duplication followed by sequence divergence underlies the evolution of new genes with new functions.
Cell Cycle
The cell cycle refers to the specific time for division, DNA replication, and metabolism in a cell.
DNA Replication
DNA replication is the process by which DNA is copied to produce a new strand of DNA. It involves the separation of the original double helix, alignment of complementary bases, and linking of nucleotides to form a continuous new strand.
DNA replication
The process by which a cell makes an identical copy of its DNA.
New strand
The newly synthesized strand of DNA during replication.
Leading strand
The strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously in the 5' to 3' direction.
Single-stranded synthesis
The process of synthesizing a new DNA strand using a single template strand.
Binding proteins
Proteins that keep the DNA helix open during replication.
Replication fork
The point where the DNA helix is unwound and replication occurs.
Okazaki fragment
Short DNA fragments on the lagging strand during replication.
DNA ligase
An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments together to form a continuous strand of DNA.
Template strand
The strand of DNA that is used as a template for RNA synthesis during transcription.
RNA primer
A short segment of RNA that is synthesized by primase and serves as a starting point for DNA synthesis during replication.
Transcription
The process by which an RNA copy is made from DNA.
RNA polymerase
An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA during transcription.
mRNA
Messenger RNA, a single-stranded RNA molecule that carries the genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Promoters
Specific DNA sequences that signal where RNA polymerase will begin transcription.
Terminator sequences
DNA sequences that signal when RNA polymerase should stop transcription.
Elongation
The process of adding nucleotides to the growing RNA strand during transcription.
RNA processing
The modification of RNA molecules after transcription, including the addition of a tail to the 3' end of eukaryotic mRNA.
Introns
Non-coding sequences found in DNA that are removed during RNA splicing.
Exons
Coding sequences found in DNA and mature mRNA that are expressed regions.
Translation
The process by which the genetic information in mRNA is used to synthesize proteins.
tRNA
Transfer RNA, a short single-stranded RNA molecule that carries amino acids to the ribosomes during translation.
Anticodon
A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that is complementary to a specific codon on mRNA.
Ribosomes
Cellular structures where protein synthesis occurs.
Initiation
The start of translation, where the ribosome assembles on the mRNA and the first amino acid is brought in by the initiator tRNA.
Posttranslational processing
Modifications to the polypeptide chain after translation, such as cleavage or chemical constituent addition.
DNA mutations
Changes in the DNA sequence that can result in genetic variation.
Transversion mutations
Mutations where a purine base is replaced by a pyrimidine base, or vice versa.
Deleterious mutations
Mutations that have a negative impact on an organism's fitness or health.
Advantageous mutations
Mutations that provide a selective advantage to an organism, resulting in improved function or adaptation.
Neutral mutations
Mutations that do not have a significant impact on an organism's fitness or function.
Cell cycle
The series of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides, including phases such as DNA replication, mitosis, and cell division.
Mitosis
Cell division process where chromosomes replicate and nuclei divide once, resulting in two daughter cells that are diploid (2n).
Genetic approaches
Methods and techniques used to study genes and their functions.
Interacting networks
Groups of genes and proteins that interact with each other to carry out specific functions.
Predictive medicine
Using genetic information to predict an individual's risk for certain diseases.
Genetic profile
A person's unique combination of genetic variations.
Therapeutic drugs
Medications designed to treat or minimize the symptoms of diseases.
Chromosomes
Thread-like structures in the nucleus of cells that contain genetic information.
Nuclei
The central part of a cell that contains genetic material.
Plasmid
Small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information.
Base pairs
Complementary nucleotide pairs that form the rungs of the DNA double helix.
Ligase
Enzyme that seals breaks in DNA strands.
Recombinant plasmid
A plasmid that has been modified by inserting foreign DNA.
Bacterial cells
Single-celled organisms belonging to the domain Bacteria.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia
A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of white blood cells.
mRNA
Messenger RNA, a molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Exon
Coding regions within a gene.
PCR primer
Short DNA sequence used to initiate DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction.
Breakpoint
The location where a chromosome breaks and rearranges.
Flower position
The location of flowers on a plant.
