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Biology -- 7. Nucleic acids > key words > Flashcards

key words Flashcards

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1
Q

base sequencing

A

the procedure of determining the order of nucleotides in a DNA section

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2
Q

DNA gyrase

A

a bacterial enzyme that catalyses the breaking and re-joining of bonds linking adjacent nucleotides in circular DNA to generate supercoiled DNA helices

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3
Q

DNA polymerases

A

various enzymes that function in the replication and repair of DNA by catalysing the linking of nucleotides in a specific order, using single-stranded DNA as a template

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4
Q

DNA primase

A

an enzyme involved in the initiation of DNA replication that catalyses the polymerisation of short RNA primers on the template DNA

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5
Q

DNA profiling (genetic fingerprinting)

A

the analysis of a small amount of genetic material used to identify multilocus DNA banding patterns that are specific to an individual is often used to provide evidence in criminal law cases

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6
Q

DNA replication

A

the process of making an identical copy of a DNA molecule, using existing DNA as a template for the synthesis of new DNA strands

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7
Q

helicase

A

a prokaryote enzyme that unwinds the DNA helix at the replication fork, breaking the hydrogen bonds, to allow the resulting single strands to be copied

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8
Q

histone

A

any of several small, basic proteins most commonly found in association with the DNA in the chromatin of eukaryotes

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9
Q

intron

A

a segment of a gene situated between exons that is removed before the translation of messenger RNA and does not function in coding for protein synthesis

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10
Q

lagging strand

A

the strand of the DNA double helix that, because of its orientation that is opposite to the working orientation of DNA polymerase III, is synthesised in a series of short fragments known as Okazaki fragments

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11
Q

leading strand

A

DNA strand being replicated by continuous polymerisation at the 3′ growing tip

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12
Q

nucleosome

A

a structural, basic bead-like unit of DNA packing in eukaryotes, consisting of a sequence of DNA wound around a protein core composed of eight histones

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13
Q

nucleotides

A

the building blocks of a nucleic acid, consisting of a carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group

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14
Q

primer

A

a segment of DNA or RNA that is complementary to a given DNA sequence and that is needed to initiate replication by DNA polymerase

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15
Q

replication fork

A

a site on a DNA molecule at which the unwinding of the helices and synthesis of daughter molecules are both occurring during DNA replication

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16
Q

tandem repeats

A

copies of genes repeated one after another along a chromosome

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17
Q

telomere

A

a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences at each end of a chromatid that is involved in the replication and stability of DNA molecules protecting the end of the chromosome from deterioration

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18
Q

x-ray diffraction

A

an analytical method in which X-rays change direction on contact with matter, resulting in changes in radiation intensity, that is used to determine the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms

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19
Q

5’ to 3’ direction

A

the only direction that DNA polymerase can synthesise DNA; it does so by adding nucleotides to the 3′ end of a DNA strand

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20
Q

DNA methylation

A

the modification of a strand of DNA after it is replicated, in which a methyl (CH3) group is added and is one of the methods used to regulate the expression of genes

21
Q

exon

A

sequence of DNA that codes information for protein synthesis that is transcribed to messenger RNA

22
Q

gene expression

A

conversion of the information from the gene into mRNA via transcription and then to protein via translation resulting in the phenotypic manifestation of the gene

23
Q

genome

A

total genetic contents of an organism

24
Q

non-coding DNA

A

components of an organism’s DNA that do not encode protein sequences; some non-coding DNA is transcribed into functional non-coding RNA molecules while others are not transcribed

25
Q

promoter

A

site in a DNA molecule at which RNA polymerase and transcription factors bind to initiate transcription of mRNA

26
Q

repressor

A

substance that binds to the operator and obstructs the RNA polymerase from binding to the promoter and transcribing the gene

27
Q

splicing of mRNA

A

removal of introns from a primary transcript and the subsequent joining of exons in the production of a mature RNA molecule

28
Q

terminator

A

sequence of nucleotides that signals the end of transcription or translation and the completion of the synthesis of a nucleic acid or protein molecule

29
Q

transcription

A

process by which messenger RNA is synthesised from a DNA template resulting in the transfer of genetic information from the DNA molecule to the messenger RNA

30
Q

alpha helix

A

a coiled conformation common in many proteins; it is characterised by a spiral chain of amino acids stabilised by hydrogen bonds in which the resulting structure resembles a spring or helix

31
Q

beta pleated sheets

A

a structure that occurs in many proteins and consists of two or more parallel adjacent polypeptide chains arranged in a zigzag pattern, so that hydrogen bonds can form between the chains

32
Q

bound ribosomes

A

ribosomes that are attached to the outer surfaces of endoplasmic reticulum and produce proteins that are used within the plasma membrane or are expelled from the cell via exocytosis

33
Q

conjugated protein

A

a biochemical compound, such as haemoglobin, made up of a protein molecule and a 
non-protein prosthetic group

34
Q

different conformations

A

alternative structures of the same protein

35
Q

electron micrograph

A

a photograph or image of a specimen taken using an electron microscope

36
Q

free ribosomes

A

can move about anywhere in the cytoplasm and the proteins they make are free to go anywhere within the cell

37
Q

non-polar amino acid

A

an alpha-amino acid in which the functional group (R–) attached to the alpha-carbon has hydrophobic properties

38
Q

polar amino acid

A

an alpha-amino acid in which the functional group (R–) attached to the alpha-carbon has hydrophilic properties

39
Q

polypeptide

A

a polymer of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds

40
Q

polysome

A

a group of ribosomes joined by a molecule of messenger RNA containing the genetic information code that is to be translated during protein synthesis

41
Q

primary structure

A

the linear sequence or order of amino acids of a protein; it determines how the protein will fold into a more advanced structure, such as the unique three-dimensional structure of protein

42
Q

prosthetic group

A

the non-protein component of a conjugated protein, for example the heme group in haemoglobin

43
Q

quaternary structure

A

the particular shape of a protein defined by the characteristic three-dimensional arrangement of its constituent polypeptide subunits

44
Q

R group

A

the chemical group attached to the alpha carbon in an amino acid that is different for each of the common 20 amino acids found in proteins

45
Q

secondary structure

A

the repetitive folding of the polypeptide backbone of a protein due to the hydrogen bonds formed between the peptides

46
Q

tertiary structure

A

the irregular folding of a protein molecule due to the interactions of the R– groups involving hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, or disulfide bonds

47
Q

transfer RNA (tRNA)

A

RNA molecules that transport amino acids to ribosomes for incorporation into a polypeptide undergoing synthesis (according to directions coded in the mRNA)

48
Q

translation

A

the transfer of information from a RNA molecule into a polypeptide, involving the changing of language from nucleic acid to amino acid

Biology -- 7. Nucleic acids (4 decks)

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