DNA Vocabulary

Question 0

Chromosome

Answer 0

a structure in the nucleus of a dividing cell that contains packed DNA

Question 1

Chromatin

Answer 1

The structure of DNA in a cell, “unraveled”, the DNA is wound around proteins

Question 2

Helix

Answer 2

A spiral shape

Question 3

DNA

Answer 3

deoxyribonucleic acid, the organic molecule that contains the information for carrying on a cell’s processes, in the form of a double helix

Question 4

Homologous pair

Answer 4

a pair of chromosomes that are similar to each other in size and shape

Question 5

Sex chromosomes

Answer 5

the two chromosomes that determine the sex in offspring, not homologous; in humans: X in females, y in males

Question 6

Karyotype

Answer 6

a photograph of a complete set of chromosomes from one cell

Question 7

Gene

Answer 7

the sequence of atoms (region) on a DNA molecule that code for a specific trait

Question 8

Allele

Answer 8

two or more sequences of atoms on different DNA molecules that code for different forms of the same trait

Question 9

Homozygous alleles

Answer 9

two alleles in a pair of chromosomes that are the same

Question 10

Heterozygous alleles

Answer 10

two alleles in a pair of chromosomes that are different

Question 11

Locus

Answer 11

the exact physical location of an allele on the DNA

Question 12

Genome

Answer 12

the entire genetic code of an organism, contained in each cell of the organism

Question 13

RNA

Answer 13

ribonucleic acid, the organic molecule that carries the information contained on DNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and serves as a base for building proteins

Question 14

Mutation

Answer 14

A change in the genetic code on DNA due to errors in the copying or environmental damage