DNA - The Code Of Life Flashcards
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid; made up of monomers called nucleotides with the nitrogenous bases cytosine, guanine, adenine and thymine; it carries the genetic code for protein synthesis
RNA
Ribonucleic Acid; there are three types of RNA viz. messenger RNA(mRNA), transfer RNA(tRNA) and ribosomal RNA(rRNA) each of which play particular roles in protein synthesis
Protein synthesis
Process by which amino acids are linked together in a particular sequence to form a required protein
Chromosome
String-like structure found in the nucleus of dividing cells; formed from chromatin network; contains the hereditary material DNA
Nuclear membrane
Membrane surrounding the nucleus
Chromatid
Half a chromosome; the 2 halves are held together bya centromere; these 2 halves have actually been formed from one chromosome by DNA replication
Chromatin network
An entangled mass of threads found in the nucleus of cells which are in the “resting stage” I.e. cells which are not dividing; they give rise to chromosomes
Nucleolus
Structure in the nucleus in which ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesised
Nucleotide
The monster which forms DNA and RNA; each nucleotide is made up of a sugar, a phosphate ion and a nitrogenous base
Nuclear DNA
DNA found within the nucleus of cells; is made up of genetic material from both parents
Extra-nuclear DNA
DNA that is located outside of the nucleus such as mitochondrial DNA in the mitochondria
Mutation
Sudden, random changes in the genetic code of an organism which can be inherited
Deoxyribose
The sugar that is a part of the DNA molecule
Complementary base pairs
Nitrogenous bases that always pair with each other and are joined by hydrogen bonds in a DNA molecule
Adenine - Thymine/Urasil
Cytosine - Gaunine
Double helix
The shape of the DNA molecule consisting of two strands joined to each other and which are spiraled twisted
Adenine
One if four nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; it DNA it always joins with thymine
Thymine
One of the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA; not found in RNA; always joins with adenine
Cytosine
One of the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; always joins with guanine in DNA
Guanine
One of the four nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA; always joins with cytosine in DNA
Weak hydrogen bonds
Bonds holding nitrogen bases together in DNA
Gene
A small portion of DNA which carries the genetic code for the formation of a particular trait or characteristic; it also carries the code for proteins
Non-coding DNA
Portions of DNA that do not code for specific amino acids
Cell cycle
A series of events that occur during the life span of the cell
Mitosis
A type of cell division which results in two cells which are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell (which no longer exists)