appendix: molecular biology (and ch. 4) Flashcards

1
Q

Gene

A

A length of DNA that encodes the information for constructing a particular protein

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2
Q

Protein

A

A long string of amino acids. Proteins are the basic building material of organisms

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3
Q

Enzyme

A

A complicated protein whose action increases the probability of a specific chemical reaction

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4
Q

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

A nucleic acid that is present in the chromosomes of cells and codes hereditary information

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5
Q

Nucleotide

A

A portion of DNA or RNA molecule that is composed of a single base and the adjoining sugar-phosphate unit of the strand

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6
Q

Hybridization

A

The process by which one string of nucleotides becomes linked to a complementary series of nucleotides

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7
Q

Chromosome

A

A complex of condensed strands of DNA and associated protein molecules. Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of cells

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8
Q

Eukaryotes

A

Any organism whose cells have the genetic material contained within a nuclear envelope

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9
Q

Cell nucleus

A

The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes

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10
Q

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

A

A nucleic acid that implements information found in DNA

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11
Q

Transcription

A

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

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12
Q

Messenger RNA (mRNA) or transcript

A

A strand of RNA that carries the code of a section of DNA strand to the cytoplasm

Also called message

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13
Q

Ribosome

A

An organelle in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins

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14
Q

Translation

A

The process by which amino acids are linked together (directed by an mRNA molecule) to form protein molecules

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15
Q

Codon

A

A set of three nucleotides that uniquely encodes one particular amino acid

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16
Q

Peptide

A

A short string of amino acids. Longer strings of amino acids are called proteins

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17
Q

Genome

A

All the genetic information that one specific individual has inherited

Also called genotype

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18
Q

Gene expression

A

The process by which a cell makes an mRNA transcript of a particular gene

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19
Q

Cell differentiation

A

The developmental stage in which cells squire distinctive characteristics, such as those of neurons, as the result of expressing particular genes

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20
Q

Clones

A

Asexually produced organisms that are genetically identical

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21
Q

DNA sequencing

A

The process by which the order of nucleotides in a gene is identified

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22
Q

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A

A method for reproducing a particular RNA or DNA sequence manyfold, allowing amplification for sequencing or manipulating the sequence

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23
Q

Transgenic

A

Referring to an animal in which a new or altered gene has been deliberately introduced into the genome

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24
Q

Probe

A

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

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25
Q

Gel electrophoresis

A

A method of separating molecules of differing size or electrical charge by forcing them to flow through a gel

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26
Q

Blotting

A

Transferring DNA, RNA, or protein fragments to nitrocellulose following separation via gel electrophoresis. The blotted substance can then be labeled

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27
Q

Southern blot

A

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

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28
Q

Northern blot

A

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

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29
Q

In situ hybridization

A

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

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30
Q

Antibodies

A

A large protein that recognizes and permanently binds to particular shapes, normally as part of the immune system attack on foreign particles

Also called immunoglobulin

31
Q

Western blot

A

A method of detecting a particular protein molecule in a tissue or organ, by separating proteins from that source with gel electrophoresis, blotting the separated proteins onto nitrocellulose, and then using an antibody that binds, and highlights, the protein of interest

32
Q

Immunocytochemistry (ICC)

A

A method for detecting a particular protein in tissues in which an antibody recognizes and binds to the protein and then chemical methods are used to leave a visible reaction product around each antibody

33
Q

neuroleptics or antipsychotics

A

any of a class of antipsychotic drugs that alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia, typically by blocking dopamine receptors

34
Q

atypical neuroleptic

A

an antipsychotic drug that has actions other than or in addition to the dopamine D2 receptor antagonism that characterizes the typical neuroleptics

35
Q

antidepressant

A

a drug that relieves the symptoms of depression

36
Q

monoamine oxidase (MAO)

A

an enzyme that breaks down monoamine transmitters, thereby inactivating them

37
Q

tricyclic antidepressant

A

an antidepressant that acts by increasing the synaptic accumulation of serotonin and norepinephrine

38
Q

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

A

a drug that blocks the reuptake of transmitter at serotonergic synapses

39
Q

depressant

A

a drug that reduces the excitability of neurons

40
Q

barbiturate

A

an early anxiolytic drug and sleep aid that has depressant activity in the nerve system

41
Q

benzodiazepine

A

any of a class of anti anxiety drug that are agonists of GABAa receptors in the central nervous system

one example is diazepam (valium)

42
Q

opium

A

an extract of the seedpod juice of the opium poppy, palaver somniferum; drugs based on opium are potent painkillers

43
Q

morphine

A

an opiate compound derived from the poppy flower

44
Q

analgesic

A

having painkilling properties

45
Q

heroin

A

diacetylmorphine; an artificially modified, very potent form of morphine

46
Q

opioid receptor

A

a receptor that responds to endogenous opioids and/or exogenous opiates

47
Q

periaqueductal gray

A

the neuronal body–rich region of the midbrain surrounding the cerebral aqueduct that connects the third and fourth ventricles; it is involved in pain perception

48
Q

endogenous opioid

A

any of a class of opium-like peptide transmitters that have been called the body’s own narcotics; the three kinds are enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins

49
Q

enkephalin

A

one of the three kinds of endogenous opioids

50
Q

endorphin

A

one of the three kinds of endogenous opioids

51
Q

dynorphin

A

one of the three kinds of endogenous opioids

52
Q

tobacco

A

a highly addictive North American plant whose leaves (usually dried and smoked) are a major source of nicotine

53
Q

nicotine

A

a compound found in plants, including tobacco, that acts as an agonist on a large class of cholinergic receptors

54
Q

stimulant

A

a drug that enhances the excitability of neurons

55
Q

alcohol

A

a neuroactive compound (primarily the ethyl alcohol found in various beverages) that first stimulates and then depresses neural activity, with varied behavioral consequences

56
Q

fetal alcohol syndrome

A

a disorder, including intellectual disability and characteristic facial abnormalities, that affects children exposed to too much alcohol (through maternal ingestion) during fetal development

57
Q

marijuana

A

a dried preparation of the cannabis sativa plant, usually smoked to obtain THC

58
Q

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

A

the major active ingredient in marijuana

59
Q

endocannabinoid

A

an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors; thus, an analog of marijuana that is produced by the brain

60
Q

anandamide

A

an endogenous substance that binds the cannabinoid receptor molecule

61
Q

caffeine

A

a stimulant compound found in coffee, cacao, and other plants

62
Q

cocaine

A

a drug of abuse, derived from the coca plant, that acts by enhancing catecholamine neurotransmission

63
Q

amphetamine

A

a molecule that resembles the structure of the catecholamine transmitters and enhances their activity

64
Q

hallucinogen

A

a drug that alters sensory perception and produces peculiar experiences

65
Q

LSD

A

lysergic acid diethyl amide, a hallucinogenic drug

also called acid

66
Q

MDMA

A

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a drug of abuse

also called ecstasy

67
Q

dissociative

A

a type of drug that produces a dreamlike state in which consciousness is partly separated from sensory inputs

68
Q

withdrawal symptom

A

an uncomfortable symptom that arises when a person stops taking a drug that he or she has used frequently, especially at high doses

69
Q

dysphoria

A

unpleasant feelings; the opposite of euphoria

70
Q

dependence

A

a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems

71
Q

substance abuse

A

maladaptive patterns of substance use that has persisted for at least a month or occurred repeatedly

72
Q

nucleus accumbens

A

a region of the forebrain that receives dopaminergic innervation from the ventral segmental areas

73
Q

insula

A

a region of cortex lying below the surface, within the lateral sulcus, of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes