appendix: molecular biology (and ch. 4) Flashcards
Gene
A length of DNA that encodes the information for constructing a particular protein
Protein
A long string of amino acids. Proteins are the basic building material of organisms
Enzyme
A complicated protein whose action increases the probability of a specific chemical reaction
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
A nucleic acid that is present in the chromosomes of cells and codes hereditary information
Nucleotide
A portion of DNA or RNA molecule that is composed of a single base and the adjoining sugar-phosphate unit of the strand
Hybridization
The process by which one string of nucleotides becomes linked to a complementary series of nucleotides
Chromosome
A complex of condensed strands of DNA and associated protein molecules. Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of cells
Eukaryotes
Any organism whose cells have the genetic material contained within a nuclear envelope
Cell nucleus
The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
A nucleic acid that implements information found in DNA
Transcription
The process during which mRNA forms bases complementary to a strand of DNA. The resulting message (called a transcript) is then used to translate the DNA code into protein molecules
Messenger RNA (mRNA) or transcript
A strand of RNA that carries the code of a section of DNA strand to the cytoplasm
Also called message
Ribosome
An organelle in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins
Translation
The process by which amino acids are linked together (directed by an mRNA molecule) to form protein molecules
Codon
A set of three nucleotides that uniquely encodes one particular amino acid
Peptide
A short string of amino acids. Longer strings of amino acids are called proteins
Genome
All the genetic information that one specific individual has inherited
Also called genotype
Gene expression
The process by which a cell makes an mRNA transcript of a particular gene
Cell differentiation
The developmental stage in which cells squire distinctive characteristics, such as those of neurons, as the result of expressing particular genes
Clones
Asexually produced organisms that are genetically identical
DNA sequencing
The process by which the order of nucleotides in a gene is identified
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
A method for reproducing a particular RNA or DNA sequence manyfold, allowing amplification for sequencing or manipulating the sequence
Transgenic
Referring to an animal in which a new or altered gene has been deliberately introduced into the genome
Probe
In molecular biology, a manufactured sequence of DNA that is made to include a label (a colorful or radioactive molecule) that lets us track its location
Gel electrophoresis
A method of separating molecules of differing size or electrical charge by forcing them to flow through a gel
Blotting
Transferring DNA, RNA, or protein fragments to nitrocellulose following separation via gel electrophoresis. The blotted substance can then be labeled
Southern blot
A method of detecting a particular DNA sequence in the genome of an organism, by separating DNA with gel electrophoresis, blotting the separated DNA molecules onto nitrocellulose, and then using a nucleotide probe to hybridize with, and highlight, the gene of interest
Northern blot
A method for detecting a particular RNA transcript in a tissue or organ, by separating RNA from that source with gel electrophoresis, blotting the separated RNA molecules onto nitrocellulose, and then using a nucleotide probe to hybridize with, and highlight, the transcription of interest
In situ hybridization
A method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue sections by providing a nucleotide probe that is complementary to, and will therefore hybridize with, the transcript of interest