15 DNA and RNA

Species

Organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Heredity

The passing on of traits from parent to offspring by means of genes

Gene Expression

The process of using the information on the gene to make a protein

Gene

A unit of DNA which codes for the production of a specific protein

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid - a double stranded nucleic acid

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid - a single stranded nucleic acid

DNA profiling

Examining DNA for a pattern or band that can be compared with a known sample

Coding dna

That part of the chromosome which carries the infomation to make a protein

Non-coding dna

That part of the chromosome which does not carry the infomation to make a protein

Genetic screening

Testing (people) for the presence of a (specific) gene or To establish presence or absence of gene(s)

Transcription

The process of producing mRNA using DNA as a template.

Translation

The process of making a protein using the mRNA code a template

Purine Bases

Adenine and Guanine are the two bases. They are single ring molecules

Pyramidine Bases

Cytosine and Thymine are the two bases. They are double ring molecules

mRNA

Messenger RNA takes the complementary DNA strand out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm.

tRNA

Transfer RNA - As the mRNA moves through, tRNA molecules carrying the appropriate amino acid bind to the RNA codon to which they are matched, and the sequence of amino acids is put together.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA - found in the ribosome and allow protein synthesis to occur

Variation

Difference between members of species or population

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that sticks DNA together

Non nuclear inheritance

Extra nuclear genes that are present in mitochondria and chloroplasts and can reproduce by themselves and pass on their genes to resulting organelles.