DNA Terms

Anticodon

A sequence of three bases found on a molecule called tRNA that pairs with a matching sequence on mRNA during protein synthesis.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria, consisting of genetic material enclosed in a protein coat.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA corresponding to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A molecule that carries genetic instructions used in the growth and reproduction of all known living organisms, characterized by a double helix shape.

DNA Polymerases

Enzymes that create DNA molecules by assembling nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA.

DNA Replication

The process by which a DNA molecule makes a copy of itself.

Double Helix

The shape of DNA molecules that resembles a twisted ladder, with sides made of sugar and phosphate and rings made of nitrogenous bases.

Exons

Sections of a gene that are expressed in the final mRNA product and code for a protein.

Introns

Non-coding sections of a gene that are removed during RNA splicing.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized.

Mutagens

Agents, such as chemicals or radiation, that cause mutations in DNA.

Mutations

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in gene function or expression.

Nitrogenous Base

A molecule found in DNA and RNA that encodes genetic information, including adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil in RNA.

Nucleotides

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

Pyrimidines

A type of nitrogenous base that includes cytosine and thymine in DNA.

Purines

A type of nitrogenous base which includes adenine and guanine.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

A molecule similar to DNA that plays a role in coding, decoding, regulating, and expressing genes.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

A type of RNA that, along with proteins, makes up the ribosomes where proteins are synthesized.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that makes RNA from a DNA template during transcription, by binding to DNA and unwinding it.

RNA Splicing

The process of removing introns from pre-mRNA transcript and connecting exons to form a mature mRNA molecule.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, particularly mRNA, by RNA polymerase.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

A type of RNA that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein by carrying amino acids to the ribosomes.

Translation

The process by which the sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded to produce a specific protein, with the help of ribosomes and tRNA.

Virus

A tiny infectious agent that can only reproduce inside the cells of living organisms, consisting of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat.