chapter 17

  1. Gene: A section of DNA that contains instructions for making a specific protein.

  2. Amino Acid: The building blocks of proteins; they link together to form polypeptides.

  3. Polypeptide: A chain of amino acids that can fold into a functional protein.

  4. Protein: A molecule made up of one or more polypeptide chains that perform various functions in the body.

  5. DNA Replication: The process of making an exact copy of DNA before a cell divides.

  6. Transcription: The process of copying a gene's DNA sequence to make messenger RNA (mRNA).

  7. Translation: The process where ribosomes read mRNA and assemble amino acids into a protein.

  8. Eukaryote: A type of organism whose cells have a nucleus, such as animals and plants.

  9. Messenger RNA (mRNA): A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

  10. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): A component of ribosomes that helps in the process of translation.

  11. Transfer RNA (tRNA): A type of RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

  12. Codon: A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during translation.

  13. Ribosome: A cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs, made up of rRNA and proteins.

  14. A Site: The ribosomal site where the tRNA carrying the next amino acid enters.

  15. P Site: The ribosomal site where the tRNA carrying the growing polypeptide chain is located.

  16. E Site: The ribosomal site where empty tRNA exits after its amino acid has been added to the chain.

  17. Anticodon: A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that pairs with a codon on mRNA.

  18. Nucleotide: The basic building block of DNA and RNA; consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

  19. Base Pairing Rules: Rules that dictate how nucleotides pair in DNA (A with T, C with G) and in RNA (A with U, C with G).

  20. Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in protein function.

  21. Point Mutation: A mutation that affects a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.

  22. Nucleotide Insertion: A mutation where one or more nucleotides are added to the DNA sequence.

  23. Nucleotide Deletion: A mutation where one or more nucleotides are removed from the DNA sequence.

  24. Silent Mutation: A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.

  25. Nonsense Mutation: A mutation that creates a stop codon, leading to premature termination of protein synthesis.

  26. Missense Mutation: A mutation that changes one amino acid in the protein sequence.

  27. Codon Chart: A table used to identify which amino acid corresponds to each codon in mRNA.

  28. Central Dogma: The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.