Biological Macromolecules, Genetics, and Chromosomal Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering biological macromolecules, DNA replication, protein synthesis, genetic mutations, inheritance patterns, and chromosomal disorders.

Carbohydrates

Biological macromolecules that serve as the main immediate source of energy for the body.

Lipids

Biological macromolecules commonly found in oils, butter, and fats that do not mix well with water and function in energy storage and cell membrane formation.

Proteins

Biological macromolecules responsible for building and repairing body tissues and muscles.

Nucleic acids

Biological macromolecules that store and transmit genetic information.

Amino acids

The monomers or building blocks of proteins.

DNA polymerase

The enzyme that adds complementary nucleotides during DNA replication.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA information into mRNA.

mRNA

Molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome.

Translation

The process occurring at the ribosome where mRNA sequence information is used to synthesize a protein.

tRNA

Molecule that carries specific amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

DNA

The nucleic acid molecule containing the original genetic instructions of an organism.

Codon

A three-base sequence found on mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Protein synthesis

The overall process of producing proteins, following the sequence: DNA is copied into mRNA → mRNA moves to the ribosome → tRNA brings amino acids → amino acids are joined to form a protein.

Substitution

A mutation involving the replacement of one nucleotide with another.

Deletion

A chromosomal mutation in which a section of DNA is lost.

Mutation

The general term for any change in a DNA sequence.

Gene mutation

A mutation involving a change in only one nucleotide.

Alleles

Different forms or variations of a gene.

Codominance

An inheritance pattern in which both alleles are fully expressed, such as in a person with type AB blood expressing both A and B blood-type characteristics.

Mendelian inheritance

Inheritance patterns that follow simple dominant-recessive allele relationships.

Non-Mendelian inheritance

Inheritance patterns that do not follow simple dominant-recessive rules, including codominance and incomplete dominance.

Dominant allele

An allele whose phenotypic expression can mask the expression of a recessive allele in a heterozygous individual.

Punnett square

A genetic tool used to predict possible combinations of offspring genotypes and phenotypes.

Karyotype

A visual examination of the number, size, and general structure of chromosomes used to identify large-scale structural or numerical chromosomal abnormalities.

Down syndrome

A genetic disorder associated with having an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Turner syndrome

A chromosomal condition in females typically associated with monosomy X (45,X), characterized by the absence of one X chromosome.