Untitled Flashcards Set

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.

3' and 5' Carbons

The carbons in deoxyribose sugar that link DNA structures together.

Antiparallel

The orientation of the two DNA strands to one another, running in opposite directions.

Double Helix

The structure of DNA formed by two strands of nucleotides twisted around each other.

Thymine (T)

The nitrogenous base found only in DNA.

Uracil (U)

The nitrogenous base found only in RNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries information from the nucleus to the ribosome.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA that makes up the structure of ribosomes.

tRNA

Transfer RNA that brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

Semiconservative Replication

Type of DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand.

Helicase

Enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix by breaking hydrogen bonds between bases.

Primase

Enzyme that adds RNA primers to initiate DNA replication.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme that adds complementary bases to build new DNA strands during replication.

Ligase

Enzyme that seals the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA.

Lagging Strand

The strand of DNA that is synthesized discontinuously during replication, producing Okazaki fragments.

mRNA Sequence

The strand of nucleotides made in the nucleus that codes for a protein.

Codon

A sequence of three mRNA nucleotides that specifies one amino acid.

Translation

The process of protein synthesis at a ribosome using the mRNA code.

Stop Codons

Codons (UGA, UAG, UAA) that signify the end of translation.

Degenerate Code

The property of the genetic code where some amino acids are specified by more than one codon.

Transcription

The process where DNA is copied to produce mRNA, occurring in the nucleus.

Codon Table

A table that lists the 64 codes corresponding to 20 amino acids.