RNA and Protein Synthesis, Cell Division, Genetics and other patterns of inheritance

Flashcards covering the vocabularly of RNA, Protein Synthesis, Mutations, Cell Division, and Heredity.

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

A nucleic acid like DNA that consists of a long chain of nucleotides. The RNA base sequence directs the production of proteins, ultimately resulting in phenotypic traits.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

Carries copies of instructions for polypeptide synthesis from the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

rRNA (ribosomal RNA)

Forms an important part of both subunits of the ribosomes, the cell structures where proteins are assembled.

tRNA (transfer RNA)

Carries amino acids to the ribosome and matches them to the coded mRNA message.

Transcription

The process where segments of DNA serve as templates to produce complementary RNA molecules.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that binds to DNA during transcription and separates the DNA strands, using one strand as a template to assemble nucleotides into a complementary strand of RNA.

Promoters

Regions of DNA that have specific base sequences where RNA polymerase binds to begin making RNA.

Introns

Portions of RNA that are cut out and discarded before the RNA is used.

Exons

The remaining pieces of RNA after introns are removed, which are spliced back together to form the final mRNA.

Codon

Each three-letter 'word' in mRNA that corresponds to a single amino acid.

Translation

The process of decoding an mRNA message into a protein, where ribosomes use the sequence of codons in mRNA to assemble amino acids into polypeptide chains.

Anticodon

The complementary sequence of bases on tRNA that attracts a codon during translation.

Molecular Biology

Explains living organisms by studying them at the molecular level, using molecules like DNA and RNA.

Central dogma of Molecular Biology

Information is transferred from DNA to RNA to protein.

Gene Expression

The way in which DNA, RNA, and proteins are involved in putting genetic information into action in living cells.

Germline mutations

Heritable changes in genetic information.

Somatic mutations

DNA alterations that occur after conception, affecting cells other than germ cells (sperm and egg).

Point mutations

Gene mutations that involve only one or a few nucleotides.

Frameshift mutations

Insertions and deletions that shift the 'reading frame' of the genetic message.

Chromosomal mutations

Changes in the number or structure of chromosomes.

Mutagens

Chemical or physical agents in the environment that cause mutations.

Polyploidy

A condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes.

Operon

A group of genes that are regulated together in prokaryotes by DNA-binding proteins.

Transcription factors

DNA-binding proteins that control the expression of genes in eukaryotes by binding DNA sequences in the regulatory regions.

RNA interference (RNAi)

The process by which microRNA (miRNA) molecules stop mRNA molecules from passing on their protein-making instructions.

Homeotic genes

Master control genes that regulate organs that develop in specific parts of the body.

Homeobox genes

Genes that share a similar 130-base DNA sequence called homeobox and code for transcription factors that activate other genes important in cell development and differentiation in certain regions of the body.

Hox genes

A group of homeobox genes that tell the cells of the body how to differentiate as the body grows.

Habitat

The physical and biological environmental factors of an ecosystem that affect the organisms living there.

Range of tolerance

The environmental conditions in which a species can survive and reproduce within its habitat.

Niche

The range of physical and biological conditions in which a species can survive and reproduce within a habitat.

Competitive exclusion principle

No two species can occupy the same niche in exactly the same habitat at exactly the same time.

Symbiosis

The interdependent relationship between two species.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

Keystone species

A single species that has such a powerful influence on community structure that changes in its population size can dramatically change the structure of an entire ecosystem.

Ecological succession

A series of somewhat predictable changes over time in a community.

Primary succession

Ecological succession that occurs on bare rock, where there are no remnants of an older community.

Pioneer species

The first species to colonize a barren area during primary succession.

Secondary succession

Ecological succession that occurs when some members of the older community remain.

Climax community

The final stage of succession, remaining relatively unchanged until destroyed by an event such as fire or human interference.

Biodiversity

The total of all genetically-based variation in all organisms in the biosphere.

Ecosystem services

Benefits provided to humans by ecosystems, such as food production, nutrient cycling, water purification, carbon storage, pest regulation, crop pollination, and buffering effects of extreme weather events.

Incomplete dominance

When a dominant allele does not completely mask the effects of a recessive allele, and the organism's resulting physical appearance shows a blending of both alleles.

Codominance

When two different alleles of the same gene are present in a living thing, and both alleles are expressed separately in different parts of an organism.

Multiple alleles

Exist in a population when there are many variations or alleles of a gene present.

Polygenic traits

Traits that are controlled by multiple genes instead of just one.

Sex-linked traits

Traits associated with genes found on sex chromosomes.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction that involves a single parent producing an offspring, which are, in most cases, genetically identical to the single cell that produced them.

Sexual reproduction

Offspring are produced by the fusion of two sex cells – one from each of two parents. These fuse into a single cell before the offspring can grow.

Chromosomes

The genetic information that is passed on from one generation of cells to the next.

Binary Fission

A form of asexual reproduction during which two genetically identical cells are produced. For example, bacteria reproduce by binary fission.

Cell Cycle

The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of four phases: G1, S, G2, and M. Interphase is the time between cell divisions. It is a period of growth that consists of the G1, S, and G2 phases. The M phase is the period of cell division.

Mitosis

The division of the cell nucleus. Occurs in the M phase of the cell cycle.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm. Occurs in the M phase of the cell cycle.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis, the duplicated chromosome condenses and becomes visible.

Metaphase

The second phase of mitosis, the centromeres of the duplicated chromosomes line up across the center of the cell.

Anaphase

The third phase of mitosis, the centromeres are pulled apart and the chromatids separate to become individual chromosomes.

Telophase

The fourth and final phase of mitosis, the chromosomes spread out into a tangle of chromatin.

Cellular Respiration

If oxygen is available, organisms can obtain energy from food by this process.

Glycolysis

Glucose is broken down into 2 molecules of pyruvic acid, producing ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle)

Pyruvic acid from glycolysis is used to make carbon dioxide, NADH, ATP, FADH2.

Electron transport chain

High-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2 are passed from carrier to carrier, Oxygen accepts the electrons in combination withH+ ions. Energy generated by the electron transport chain is used to move H+ ions across the inner mitochondrial.

Homeostasis

Organisms must achieve this, relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions.

Tissues

A group of similar cells that performs a particular function.

Organ

Many groups of tissues work together to perform complicated tasks.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function.

Unicellular

Single celled organisms

Multicellular

Organisms that are made of multiple cells