Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Molecular biology (Updated 2016) > Glossary D-H > Flashcards

Glossary D-H Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

degeneracy

A

in molecular biology this term refers to the fact that multiple different codons may encode the same amino acid.

however, a given codon does not encode more than one amino acid within the nucleus of an organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

deletion

A

the absence of bases that are present in the wild-type DNA sequence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

derepression

A

(see repression)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

diploid

A

cells containing copies of both the maternal and paternal chromosomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

A

the molecular responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information

composed of 2 strands of nucleotides twisted around each other in the shape of a double helix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

DNA gyrase

A

(see gyrase)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

DNA ligase

A

enzymatic activity responsible for creating phosphodiester bonds between the 5’ end of one strand of DNA and the 3’ end of another strand

requires the presence of a 5’ phosphate on one strand, and a 3’ hydroxyl group on the second strand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

DNA methylation

A

addition of methyl groups to the bases of DNA molecules

particular bases are methylated by specific DNA methylase enzymes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

DNA polymerase

A

enzymatic activity responsible for catalyzing the polymerization of DNA.

Is dependent upon an annealed primer from which to initiate polymerization, and a DNA template from which to copy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

domain

A

refers to a segment of a macromolecule that serves a specific function, either enzymatic, structural, or another specialized function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

dominant allele

A

allele that determines phenotype in a heterozygous individual carrying another recessive allele

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

double helix

A

the helical shape assumed by DNA in which the two complementary strands hydrogen bond together in opposite orientations (i.e. have opposite polarities)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

electrophoresis

A

a class of techniques wherein macromolecules are moved through a matrix using an electric current to effect their separation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

elongation factor

A

a protein(s) that associates with the ribosome cyclically to assist in loading tRNA into the A site of the ribosome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

endoplasmic reticulum

A

a specialized membranous organelle within eukaryotic cells responsible for synthesis of membrane-inserted proteins, and for producing proteins to be exported to the cell surface or beyond

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

enhancer

A

chromosomal sequences responsible for up-regulating the activity of an associated promoter

may function in either orientation, and may be upstream, downstream, or even embedded within an intron of the gene being regulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

epigenetic

A

a change in phenotype brought about by changes in gene regulation rather than by a change in genotype.

epigenetic influences are often heritable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

episome

A

an extrachromosomal, non-organellar genetic element that is permanently maintained

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

epitope

A

a chemical structure capable of eliciting an immune cell response and of being specifically recognized by molecules of immune recognition (e.g. immunoglobulins, T-cell receptors, etc.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

exon

A

a contiguous segment of genomic DNA that is translated into polypeptide (see intron)

expressed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

expression library

A

a type of library, constructed in an expression vector, that can be screened based on detection of a polypeptide product

such recombinant constructs do not necessarily produce full-length products, nor can they necessarily impart a new phenotype based on the cloned sequence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

familial

A

(see inherited trait)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

flow cytometry

A

method used to measure nuclear DNA quantity in order to determine ploidy status

24
Q

frame-shift

A

a change from one reading frame to another

a type of mutation that results in a change in the reading frame used in the translation of a transcript

25
Q 
functional cloning
(expression cloning)
A

A cloning strategy that uses a phenotypic screening method to identify the target gene.

Not to be confused to screening of an expression library.

26
Q

fusion protein

A

A chimeric polypeptide comprised of sequences derived from more than one gene.

27
Q

gDNA

A

shorthand for “genomic DNA”

28
Q

gel electrophoresis

A

(see electrophoresis)

29
Q

gene

A

a discrete unit of DNA (or RNA in some viruses) that encodes a nucleic acid or protein product that contributes to or influences the phenotype of the cell

30
Q

gene conversion

A

a non-mendelian pattern of inheritance wherein one allele of a gene is modified with sequences originating from another allele, usually without modifying the second allele

31
Q

gene dosage

A

refers to the number of copies of a given gene within the overall genome.

the term is often used in reference to situations where amplification of a gene has occurred, resulting in an altered phenotype of a cell or organism

32
Q

gene superfamily

A

a large group of genes related (often poorly) by sequence homologies or by the structures of their products, and by their involvement in different species of the same larger process (eg immunoglobulin gene superfamily)

33
Q

gene therapy

A

a technique involving the use of foreign genetic material to correct a genetic defect or to modify the phenotype of an affected individual, by targeting somatic cells

34
Q

genetic disease

A

heritable genetic alterations from wild type which, when expressed, result in decreased viability of the individual receiving the altered gene(s)

35
Q

genetic map

A

The ordering of genes by the statistical determination of recombination event between them.

Genes separated by greater distances are more likely to recombine.

36
Q

genome

A

The entire compliment of permanently maintained nucleic acid containing the information necessary to encode the organism

37
Q

genotype

A

the unique collection of genes (or gene alleles) present within an organism

38
Q

germline

A

Tissues involved generation of haploid gametes

39
Q

guanine

A

one of the purine bases found in DNA and RNA

2-amino-6-hydroxypurine

40
Q

gyrase

A

an enzymatic responsible for maintaining supercoiling in DNA

41
Q

haplotype

A

The particular combination of alleles present within a defined region of some chromosomes.

Originally was client to describe MHC antigens, but now is used to describe RFLP patterns and certain other situations

42
Q

H-chain

A

immunoglobulin heavy chain

43
Q

half-life (t1/2)

A

the period of time necessary for the loss or degradation of 50% of the activity or integrity of a molecule.

44
Q

helicase

A

Enzymatic complexes that utilize the energy of ATP to drive unwinding of dsDNA during replication.

45
Q

Heterochromatin

A

Highly condensed DNA and associated proteins that usually has a little transcriptional activity

46
Q

Heterozygous

A

Individual content and dissimilar alleles for a given gene or locus

47
Q

histones

A

Highly basic proteins which associate the chromosomal DNA to package it into a compact, higher order structure.

48
Q

hnRNA

heterogeneous nuclear RNA

A

The highly size-heterogeneous RNA that is present in the nucleus due to the presence of a large variety of primary transcripts for different genes of different sizes and in various states of processing

49
Q

Holoprotein

A

The complete, functional form of a protein that includes all its normally associated subunits and any necessary prosthetic groups
(also see Protein)

50
Q

homeotic gene

A

a “master gene” that is responsible for the control of the defined set of numerous other genes, usually in developmental pathways.

51
Q

homeotic mutation

A

a mutation in a homeotic gene that is responsible for controlling the activities of numerous other genes, usually during embryologic development in higher organisms

52
Q

Homologues

A

genes found and different species that have the same genetic origin, and usually serve the same function

53
Q

Homology

sequence homology

A

A term implying both overall sequence similarity and a common genetic origin between two (or more) sequences

54
Q

Hybridization

A

the alignment of complementary strands of DNA (or RNA) from different sources via a base pairing

Widely used to identify portions of DNA on a Southern or (Northern) blot, using labeled probes

55
Q

Hydrogen bond

A

A non-covalent attraction between a hydrogen atom of one molecule and an electron-withdrawing atom of a second molecule

Molecular biology (Updated 2016) (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions