DNA

DNA

Double-stranded polymer of nucleotides with deoxyribose sugar and nitrogenous bases (C,G,A,T)

RNA

Single-stranded polymer of nucleotides with ribose sugar and nitrogenous bases (C,G,A,U)

Nucleotide

Consists of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar (ribose for RNA, deoxyribose for DNA), and a phosphate group

Chromosomes

Linear pieces of DNA bound to histone proteins, with humans having 46 chromosomes in each cell

Gene

Segment of DNA that is transcribed into RNA, serving as a recipe for making proteins

Semi-conservative Replication

Process where DNA replication results in two new double helix molecules, each containing one parental and one newly-made strand

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by reading the parental bases and inserting complementary bases

Leading Strand

New DNA strand synthesized continuously from 3' to 5' end of the parental strand during replication

Lagging Strand

New DNA strand synthesized discontinuously in short fragments (Okazaki fragments) from 3' to 5' end of the parental strand during replication

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that joins short polynucleotide fragments on the lagging strand during DNA replication

Histones

Proteins that DNA wraps around to form chromatin, aiding in gene regulation and DNA replication

Double Helix

DNA structure consisting of two intertwined strands held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs (A-T, G-C)

Uracil

Nitrogenous base found in RNA, replacing thymine found in DNA

Ribose

Pentose sugar present in RNA nucleotides, differing from the deoxyribose sugar in DNA