TVT- Chapter 3

radioactivity

the emission of ionizing particles or energy; can lead to increased rates of DNA mutation

free radical

highly reactive atom or molecule; has unbonded, lone electrons

cleave

cut, slice

chromosome

molecule of DNA; some chromosomes have protein in addition to DNA

protein

biomolecule composed of groups of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds; hemoglobin and collagen are examples

Hershey and Chase

pair of scientists who determined that DNA is the molecule of heredity (as opposed to protein)

sulfur

element #16; found in protein but not DNA

phosphorus

element #15; found in DNA but not protein

Watson and Crick/

pair of scientists who deduced the double-helix structure of DNA

helix

spiral

complementary

combining in a beneficial way; in DNA, A and T, C and G

template

original version from which a copy is made

RNA

ribonucleic acid; similar to DNA but is single stranded and can leave a nucleus

transcribe

copy DNA in to RNA; use a DNA gene sequence to produce a messenger RNA sequence

ribosome

organelle in cells composed of RNA and protein; site of protein synthesis

translate

use an RNA sequence to build an amino acid sequence (protein)

tRNA

transfer RNA; carries amino acids to the ribosome for protein synthesis

amino acid

monomer of proteins; there are about 20 commonly used in protein synthesis

iteration

repetition

Central Dogma

DNA codes for RNA which codes for proteins; the codes are shared by all living things (mostly)

leukemia

cancer of blood and/or bone marrow

colon

large intestine; site of water absorption following digestion

thyroid

gland located toward the bottom of the neck; produces thyroxin which helps regulate metabolism