DNA/Mitosis/Meiosis key words Flashcards
What is a centromere?
The structure in a chromosome that holds the two chromatids together
What is a chromosome?
Structures in a cell than contain genetic material
What is a (sister) chromatid?
A sister chromatid refers to the identical copies formed by the DNA replication of a chromosome, with both copies joined together by a common centromere
What is a histone?
A DNA-binding protein. When DNA is folded it is wrapped around the histone to give the chromosome as more compact shape
What is a homologous pair of chromosomes?
A pair of chromosomes, one maternal and one paternal that have the same gene loci
What is DNA?
DNA contains all the genetic information needed for the development and functioning of an organism, and it is also the molecule used to pass on genetic information to offspring
What is a gene?
A length of DNA that codes for a specific polypeptide
What is a spindle fibre?
Spindle fibres are protein structures that pull apart the genetic material in a cell when the cell divides
- they are a type of microtubule
What is the equator of a cell?
The middle position in a cell where the chromosomes line up and attach to the spindle fibres during mitosis
What is a microtubule?
What is an exon?
Sections of the genes which are coding
What is an intron?
Non-coding regions of the gene that do not contain codons needed to make the final protein. They are removed by the spliceosomes in the editing of pre-mRNA
What is splicing?
Non-coding regions of a pre-mRNA molecule, called introns, are removed and the remaining coding regions, called exons, are joined together to produce a mature mRNA molecule that can be translated into protein
What is a locus?
The position of a gene on a chromosome or DNA molecule
What is an allele?
One of the different forms of a particular gene
