Chapter 5- DNA: The Code of Life Flashcards
Define DNA replication.
the process in which an identical copy of DNA strand is formed for a new cell
Define nitrogen bases.
molecules that contain nitrogen and other elements
Define messenger RNA.
(mRNA) copies the message from DNA in the nucleus and carries the message to the ribosome in the cytoplasm
Define transfer RNA.
carries amino acids to the ribosome and adds them to the growing protein
Define mutation.
any change in the DNA of a gene or chromosome
Define cancer.
a disease in which cells grow and divide uncontrollably, damaging the parts of the body around them
Define tumor.
a mass of abnormal cells that develops when cells divide and grow uncontrollably
Define chemotherapy.
the use of drugs to treat a disease
Define sex chromosomes.
one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in each body cell
Define sex-linked genes.
genes found on the X and Y chromosomes, their alleles are passed from parent to child on a sex chromosome
Define carrier.
a person who has one recessive allele for a trait and one dominant allele
Define selective breeding.
the process of selecting organisms with desired traits to be parents of the next generation
Define inbreeding.
involves crossing two individuals that have similar desirable characteristics
Define hybridization.
breeders cross two genetically different individuals
Define clone.
an organism that has exactly the same genes as the organism from which it was produced
