Molecular Genetics Vocab

Question 1

DNA

Answer 1

A double-helix molecule with a phosphate-sugar backbone. Its building blocks are thymine, adenine, cytosine, and guanine. It contains the cell’s genetic information.

Question 2

Nucleotide

Answer 2

The building blocks of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. It consists of a nitrogenous base and a phosphate-sugar backbone.

Question 3

Nitrogenous base

Answer 3

A nitrogen-containing molecule that has the properties of a base. These are adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine, and uracil.

Question 4

DNA replication

Answer 4

Copying one molecule of DNA to produce two molecules during interphase.

Question 5

DNA polymerase

Answer 5

The enzyme that binds the new nucleotides together in a DNA molecule.

Question 6

RNA

Answer 6

A single stranded molecule with a phosphate-sugar backbone that is necessary for making proteins.

Question 7

mRNA

Answer 7

Message RNA

Question 8

tRNA

Answer 8

Transfer RNA

Question 9

rRNA

Answer 9

Ribosomal RNA

Question 10

Transcription

Answer 10

Copying one side of the DNA to make RNA.

Question 11

Translation

Answer 11

Turning RNA into proteins by turning the nucleotides from the mRNA to amino acids.

Question 12

RNA polymerase

Answer 12

The main enzyme for transcription that makes RNA.

Question 13

Codon

Answer 13

Three letters on the mRNA.

Question 14

Anticodon

Answer 14

The three exposed letters that are the opposite letters of the codon.

Question 15

Mutation

Answer 15

A change in the structure of DNA that may or may not affect which proteins are synthesized. Can also be change in the amount of genetic material.

Question 16

Point mutations

Answer 16

A mutation in which the wrong nitrogenous base is substituted in for the right base. Base pair substitution.

Question 17

Chromosome mutation

Answer 17

A change or error that occurs within the chromosome due to mistakes or problems that occur during cell processes like mitosis and meiosis. Unlike gene mutations that involve the alteration of a gene or a segment of DNA, chromosomal mutations change the entirety of the chromosome itself.

Question 18

Mutagen

Answer 18

Something that causes a mutation, like radiation.

Question 19

Recombinant DNA (genetic engineering)

Answer 19

DNA that comes from combining a bacteria’s plasmid with the gene of choice.

Question 20

Transgenic organism

Answer 20

An organism that has genes from another organism added to it.

Question 21

Restriction enzyme

Answer 21

This cuts DNA in specific places.

Question 22

Ligase enzyme

Answer 22

This enzyme fixes the gaps and mends the backbone when sticky ends of the cut DNA attach.

Question 23

Plasmid

Answer 23

The small circular chromosome that bacteria have.

Question 24

Cloning

Answer 24

Using genetic material from one organism to make a genetically identical copy of that organism.

Question 25

DNA sequencing

Answer 25

Looking for the exact sequence of nucleotides in DNA. It is useful for determining ancestry.

Question 26

PCR

Answer 26

Polymerase chain reaction. It makes copies of DNA from a limited supply if you need more, for example, in forensics.

Question 27

Human Genome Project

Answer 27

A project to map the human genome (all of the traits/genes humans can have).

Question 28

Proteonomics

Answer 28

Looking at the different versions of proteins to determine how one change can affect the amino acid sequence and to answer questions such as, What do the sequences mean? What do the proteins look like and what do they do? What is their evolutionary origin?

Question 29

DNA fingerprinting

Answer 29

Determining identity by analyzing a pattern of DNA characteristics that is unique to a certain organism.

Question 30

Gene therapy

Answer 30

Take a cloned version of a good gene and insert it into a retrovirus capsid after removing its viral DNA. Fill the capsule with the good DNA and inject it into the patient. Virus will inject its DNA into some cells which can reproduce, making more cells with the good gene.

Question 31

Gene chip

Answer 31

A computer chip with a bunch of tiny wells like mini Petri dishes that you can fill with DNA to perform many DNA tests at once. You put the sample into the computer chip, put the chip into the computer, and the computer reads the chip and gives the information.