Term 3 Biology

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.

Nucleus

An organelle that stores genetic information and regulates cell activities such as growth and metabolism.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce chemical energy for the cell.

Ribosomes

Cell structures that assemble proteins.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Complementary base pairing

The pairing of adenine with thymine (A-T) and guanine with cytosine (G-C) in DNA.

Chromosomes

Structures made of DNA wrapped around proteins; they carry genetic information.

Gene

A specific section of DNA that contains the instructions for a specific protein.

Diploid

Cells that have two copies of each chromosome, denoted as 2n.

Haploid

Cells that have one copy of each chromosome, denoted as n.

Karyotype

A representation of a set of chromosomes grouped in homologous pairs according to shape and size.

Protein synthesis

The process of creating proteins based on the instructions encoded in DNA.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into mRNA.

Translation

The process of translating the sequence of mRNA into a sequence of amino acids to form proteins.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Cytokinesis

The final stage of cell division where the cytoplasm divides to form two daughter cells.

Genome

An organism's complete set of DNA, including all its genes.

Non-Coding DNA

DNA sequences that do not code for proteins but may have important regulatory functions.

Homologous chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes that have the same size, shape, and genes at the same loci, one inherited from each parent.

Chromatid

Each of the two identical strands of DNA that are formed by the replication of a chromosome.

Asexual reproduction

Type of reproduction that involves a single parent producing genetically identical offspring.