AP Biology Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation COMPLETED Topic Learning Objective(s) 6.1 DNA and RNA Structure IST-1.K Describe the structures in

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule that plays a critical role in the decoding of DNA and the synthesis of proteins.

Plasmid

A small, circular DNA molecule that replicates independently of chromosomal DNA, commonly found in bacteria.

Transcription

The process by which genetic information from DNA is copied into RNA.

Translation

The process by which RNA is translated into a protein at the ribosome.

Gene expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, often proteins.

Promoter region

A regulatory sequence located upstream of a gene that serves as the binding site for RNA polymerase and transcription factors.

TATA box

A specific DNA sequence within the promoter region that helps initiate transcription by providing a binding site for transcription factors.

Enhancer region

A regulatory sequence that can enhance the transcription of a gene by interacting with transcription factors.

Transcription factors

Proteins that regulate the rate of transcription by binding to specific DNA sequences near the promoter region.

Operon

A unit of genetic regulation in prokaryotic cells consisting of a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter.

Silent mutation

A mutation that does not result in a change in the amino acid sequence of a protein, due to the redundancy of the genetic code.

Missense mutation

A mutation that results in the substitution of one amino acid for another in the protein sequence.

Nonsense mutation

A mutation that converts a codon that encodes an amino acid into a premature stop codon.

Frameshift mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions of nucleotides that shifts the reading frame of the codons.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, producing millions of copies of a DNA segment.

Gel electrophoresis

A technique used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge.

Gene cloning

The process of making multiple copies of a specific DNA segment.

CRISPR-Cas9

A genetic engineering tool that allows for targeted modifications of DNA sequences in organisms.

Sequencing

The process of determining the precise order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Transgenic organism

An organism that contains a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted instead of inheriting them through reproduction.

Epigenetics

Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

Differential gene expression

The phenomenon where different genes are expressed at varying levels in different cell types or in response to environmental conditions.

Stem cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types.

Gene therapy

A technique that aims to treat or prevent diseases by inserting genes into a patient's cells.

Biotechnology

The use of biological systems or living organisms to develop or create products.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

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

tRNA (transfer RNA)

A type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA (ribosomal RNA)

A type of RNA that makes up part of the ribosome and is essential for protein synthesis.

Mutagen

An agent that causes changes to the genetic material (DNA) in an organism, potentially leading to mutations.

Bacterial transformation

A method of genetic engineering in which bacteria take up foreign DNA.

Natural selection

The process through which organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Horizontal gene transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

Nucleotide base pairing

The mechanism by which nucleotides in DNA and RNA pair with complementary bases, ensuring accurate replication and transcription.

Amino acid

The building block of proteins, encoded by codons in the genetic code.