Biology Chapters 11 and 13: DNA and Mutations

Flashcards for Biology Chapters 11 and 13 focusing on DNA, RNA, mutations, and gene expression.

DNA

Chemical information passed to offspring of organisms.

Nucleotides

DNA building blocks.

DNA Replication

The ability of DNA to make an identical copy of itself during cell division.

Chargaff's Rules

The amount of A, T, G, and C varies in species, and in each species, A=T and C=G.

Franklin's X-Ray Diffraction Data

DNA is a double helix based on X-ray diffraction data.

DNA Replication

Process of making an identical copy of DNA molecules.

Semiconservative Replication

One of the two old strands of DNA which are conserved, or present in a new molecule.

Helicase

Enzyme that separates the two strands of DNA.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme that makes the new DNA strand by adding nucleotides to the template.

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that seals the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA.

DNA Primase

Lays down RNA primer so DNA polymerase can start.

Lagging Strand

Template strand of DNA during replication.

Leading Strand

Template strand of DNA during replication.

RNA Structure

Has uracil instead of thymine, single-stranded, and the sugar is ribose.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

Carries gene information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

Transfers amino acids to ribosomes.

rRNA

DNA acts as a template for its formation.

Gene

Sequence of bases that code for a specific product.

Gene Expression

When a gene product is functioning in the cell.

Codon

Three-letter unit of mRNA that codes for an amino acid.

Transcription

Nucleotides of mRNA are joined by RNA polymerase, following a complementary sequence to DNA.

Point Mutations

Mutation where a nucleotide is replaced with another.

Duplication

Repeats a segment of a chromosome.

Inversion

Reverses a segment within a chromosome.

Translocation

Moves a segment from one chromosome to a nonhomologous chromosome.