DNA Vocabulary Principles of Biomedical Sciences

Adenine

DNA Building block; purine, pairs with thymine

Base Pair

Two nitrogen-containing bases that pair together to form the structure of DNA

Base Sequence

The sequence of DNA in the order of nucleotide bases

Chromosome

A structure found in the nucleus of a cell which is made up of proteins and DNA organized into genes

Cytosine

A pyrimidine base that codes genetic information in DNA and RNA; pairs with Guanine

deoxyribonucleic acid

A molecule that encodes an organism's genetic blueprint (DNA)

DNA Sequence

Determine the order of the 4 chemical building blocks that make up the DNA molecule

Double Helix

The structure of a DNA molecule; a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis

Gel electrophoresis

A method that is used in laboratories that is used to separate mixtures of DNA and RNA

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction in a living organism

Gene

A unit of heredity that occupies a location on a chromosome

genetics

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics

genome

an organisms complete set of genetic instructions

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism

Guanine

A purine base and one of the bases of nucleic bases; pairs with cytosine.

Nucleic Acid

Naturally occurring chemicals that serve as primary information-carrying molecules in cells

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids

Nucleus

The center of an atom that is made of protons and neutrons

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A laboratory technique that is used to make multiple copies of DNA and to amplify DNA sequences

Primer

A short nucleic acid sequence that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis

Protein

3-D substance that has amino acids

Restriction Enzyme

An enzyme that is isolated from bacteria that cuts DNA molecules at specific sequences

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

A type of polymorphism that results from variation in the DNA sequence recognized by restriction enzymes

Sequencing

Determining the order of the four chemical building blocks

Thymine

A component of nucleic acid that carries hereditary information in DNA in cells. Its a pyrimidine base

Cells

the smallest unit of life that can live on its own

Purine

Has two bases; adenine and guanine

Pyrimidines

Has one base, cytosine and thymine

RFLP

restriction fragment length polymorphisms; diff in length of fragments made by restriction enz, digestion of 2 DNA samples

DNA charge

negative

number of hydrogen bonds between guanine and cytosine

3 Hydrogen bonds

number of hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine

2 Hydrogen bonds

Who discovered the double helix?

Watson and Crick

Adenine, Guanine

Purine

Thymine, Cystosine

Pyrimidine