Chapter 21: DNA and Biotechnology (Vocabulary)

Question 1

The molecular basis of genetic inheritance in all cells and some viruses. A category of nucleic acids that usually consists of a double helix of two nucleotide strands. The sequence of nucleotides carries the instructions for assembling proteins.

Answer 1

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Question 2

The process by which specific bases are matched: adenine with thymine (in DNA) or with uracil (in RNA) and cytosine with guanine. Each base pair is held together by weak hydrogen bonds.

Answer 2

Complementary base pairing

Question 3

Begins when an enzyme breaks the weak hydrogen bonds that hold together the paired bases that make up nucleotide strands of the double helix, thereby “unzipping” and unwinding the strands.

Answer 3

DNA replication

Question 4

Replication of DNA; the two strands of a DNA molecule become separated and each serves as a template to create a new double-stranded DNA. Each new double-stranded molecule consists of one new strand and one old strand.

Answer 4

Semiconservative replication

Question 5

A type of RNA that combines with proteins to form the ribosomes, structures on which protein synthesis occurs. The most abundant form of RNA.

Answer 5

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Question 6

The process by which a complementary single-stranded messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule is formed from a single-stranded DNA template. As a result, the information in DNA is transferred to RNA.

Answer 6

Transcription

Question 7

A type of RNA synthesized from and complementary to a region of DNA that attaches to ribosomes in the cytoplasm and specifies the amino acid order in the protein. It carries the DNA instructions for synthesizing a particular protein.

Answer 7

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Question 8

A type of RNA that binds to a specific amino acid and transports it to the appropriate region of messenger RNA (mRNA). Transfer RNA acts as an interpreter between the nucleic acid language of mRNA and the amino acid language of proteins.

Answer 8

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Question 9

A type of RNA that combines with proteins to form the ribosomes, structures on which protein synthesis occurs. The most abundant form of RNA.

Answer 9

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Question 10

A specific region on DNA next to the “start” sequence that controls the expression of the gene.

Answer 10

Promoter

Question 11

One of the group of enzymes necessary for the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template. It binds with the promoter on DNA that aligns the appropriate RNA nucleotides and links them together.

Answer 11

RNA polymerase

Question 12

Protein synthesis. The process of converting the nucleotide language of messenger RNA (mRNA) into the amino acid language of a protein.

Answer 12

Translation

Question 13

The base triplets in DNA that specify the amino acids that go into proteins or that function as start or stop signals in protein synthesis. It is used to convert the linear sequence of bases in DNA to the sequence of amino acids in proteins.

Answer 13

Genetic code

Question 14

A three-base sequence on messenger RNA (mRNA) that specifies one of the 20 common amino acids or the beginning or end of the protein chain.

Answer 14

Codon

Question 15

A three-base sequence on transfer RNA (tRNA) that binds to the complementary base pairs of a codon on the mRNA.

Answer 15

Anticodon

Question 16

A cluster of ribosomes simultaneously translating the same messenger RNA (mRNA) strand.

Answer 16

Polysome

Question 17

A change in the base sequence of the DNA of a gene. A mutation may occur spontaneously or be caused by outside sources, such as radiation or chemical agents.

Answer 17

Mutation

Question 18

The manipulation of genetic material for human practical purposes.

Answer 18

Genetic engineering

Question 19

The industrial or commercial use or alteration of living organisms, cells, or molecules to achieve specific useful goals.

Answer 19

Biotechnology

Question 20

Segments of DNA from two sources that have been combined in vitro and transferred to cells in which their information can be expressed.

Answer 20

Recombinant DNA

Question 21

An enzyme that recognizes a specific sequence of bases in DNA and cuts the DNA at that sequence. Restriction enzymes are used to prepare DNA containing “sticky ends” during the creation of recombinant DNA. Their natural function in bacteria is to control the replication of viruses that infect the bacteria.

Answer 21

Restriction enzyme

Question 22

A biological carrier, usually a plasmid or a virus, that ferries the recombinant DNA to the host cell.

Answer 22

Vector (DNA)

Question 23

A small, circular piece of self-replicating DNA that is separate from the chromosome and found in bacteria. Plasmids are often used as vectors in recombinant DNA research.

Answer 23

Plasmid

Question 24

A technique used to amplify (increase) the quantity of DNA in vitro using primers, DNA polymerase, and nucleotides.

Answer 24

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Question 25

Treating a genetic disease by inserting healthy functional genes into the body cells that are affected by the faulty gene.

Answer 25

Gene therapy

Question 26

The complete set of DNA of an organism, including all of its genes.

Answer 26

Genome

Question 27

The study of the entire genomes and the interactions of the genes with one another and the environment.

Answer 27

Genomics