1..3- Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts related to nucleic acids, their structure, types, functions, and processes involved in genetic information flow.

Nucleic Acids

Essential biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid that consists of two strands forming a double helix structure.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A type of nucleic acid that is usually single-stranded and involved in protein synthesis.

Double Helix

The helical structure formed by two strands of DNA.

Nucleotides

Building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, sugar, and nitrogenous base.

Purines

Type of nitrogenous base that includes Adenine (A) and Guanine (G).

Pyrimidines

Type of nitrogenous base that includes Cytosine (C), Thymine (T) in DNA, and Uracil (U) in RNA.

Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases: A pairs with T, and G pairs with C.

Genetic Information

Information stored in DNA that determines the traits and functions of an organism.

Replication

The process by which DNA duplicates itself to pass genetic information to new cells.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

Conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

Transports amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA (Ribosomal RNA)

Forms ribosomes along with proteins, serving as the site of protein synthesis.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The flow of information within a biological system: DNA → RNA → Protein.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of decoding mRNA into a protein.

Semi-Conservative Replication

DNA replication process where each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one new strand.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during replication.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides.

Ligase

An enzyme that joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Initiation (Transcription)

The stage where RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region on DNA.

Termination (Transcription)

The end stage of transcription when RNA polymerase reaches a termination signal.

Stop Codon

A nucleotide sequence that signals the termination of protein synthesis.