Nucleic acids and nucleotides

Nucleotide

The basic structural unit of nucleic acids, consisting of a pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid that carries genetic information and is composed of nucleotides containing deoxyribose.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid that transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, composed of nucleotides containing ribose.

Phosphodiester bond

A type of bond that links nucleotides together in a nucleic acid through a phosphate group connecting the sugar of one nucleotide to the sugar of another.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

A nucleotide derivative that serves as the primary energy carrier in cells, consisting of ribose, adenine, and three phosphate groups.

Semi-conservative replication

The process by which DNA is replicated, resulting in two double helices each composed of one original and one newly synthesized strand.

Codon

A triplet of bases in DNA or mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid in a protein.

Gene

A sequence of bases in DNA that codes for a specific polypeptide or protein.

Exons

Coding regions of a gene that are expressed and translated into proteins.

Introns

Non-coding regions of a gene that are not translated into proteins.

Transcription

The process in which genetic information from DNA is transcribed to produce mRNA in the nucleus.

Translation

The process of assembling amino acids into a polypeptide chain at the ribosome, based on the sequence of the mRNA.

Peptide bond

A covalent bond that links amino acids together in a protein.

Mutation

A change in the DNA base sequence that can lead to alterations in protein structure and function.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that splits a molecule by adding water, often involved in the breakdown of ATP to ADP.

Ribosome

A cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs, translating mRNA into a polypeptide chain.