DNA/Evolution Study Guide Vocabulary

Flashcards covering DNA, Evolution, and Population Growth vocabulary.

Base Pair Rule

The rule that adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C) in DNA.

DNA Nucleotide

The building block of DNA, consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to the template strand.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during replication.

DNA Replication/Duplication

The process of copying a DNA molecule to produce two identical DNA molecules.

Semi-Conservative Replication

DNA replication where each new DNA molecule consists of one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

mRNA

A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome in the cytoplasm.

tRNA

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

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a protein from an mRNA template.

Protein Synthesis

The process by which cells build proteins.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Anti-codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to a codon in mRNA.

Start Codon

The codon (usually AUG) that signals the start of translation.

Stop Codons

Codons that signal the end of translation (e.g., UAA, UAG, UGA).

Amino Acid

The building block of proteins.

Polypeptide/Amino Acid Chain

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Protein

A functional biological molecule made of one or more polypeptide chains.

Mutation

A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Chromosomal Mutation

A mutation that affects the structure or number of chromosomes.

Deletion/Duplication of a Gene

The loss or addition of a gene in a chromosome.

Non-Disjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate during cell division.

Gene Mutation

A mutation that affects a single gene.

Point Mutation-Substitution

A gene mutation that involves the substitution of one nucleotide for another.

Frameshift Mutation (Insertion/Deletion)

A mutation that results from the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, causing a shift in the reading frame.

Intron

A non-coding region of DNA within a gene.

Exon

A coding region of DNA within a gene that is transcribed into mRNA.

Gel Electrophoresis

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

DNA Fingerprint

A unique pattern of DNA fragments used for identification.

Evolution

The process by which populations of organisms change over time.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Adaptation

A trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Genetic Drift

Changes in the genetic composition of a population over time due to random chance.

Bottleneck Effect

A genetic drift that occurs when a population is drastically reduced in size.

Founder Effect

A genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals colonizes a new area.

Speciation

The process by which new species arise.

Exponential Growth

Population growth pattern characterized by a rapid increase in population size over time.

Logistic Growth

Population growth pattern where growth slows and eventually stops as resources become limited.

Limiting Factor

A factor that restricts population growth.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain given available resources.

Density Dependent Factors

Factors that affect population growth based on population size.

Density Independent Factors

Factors that affect population growth regardless of population size.