Molecular Genetics Vocab Flashcards
DNA
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.
Nucleotide
The building blocks of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. It consists of a nitrogenous base and a phosphate-sugar backbone.
Nitrogenous base
A nitrogen-containing molecule that has the properties of a base. These are adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine, and uracil.
DNA replication
Copying one molecule of DNA to produce two molecules during interphase.
DNA polymerase
The enzyme that binds the new nucleotides together in a DNA molecule.
RNA
A single stranded molecule with a phosphate-sugar backbone that is necessary for making proteins.
mRNA
Message RNA
tRNA
Transfer RNA
rRNA
Ribosomal RNA
Transcription
Copying one side of the DNA to make RNA.
Translation
Turning RNA into proteins by turning the nucleotides from the mRNA to amino acids.
RNA polymerase
The main enzyme for transcription that makes RNA.
Codon
Three letters on the mRNA.
Anticodon
The three exposed letters that are the opposite letters of the codon.
Mutation
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.
Point mutations
A mutation in which the wrong nitrogenous base is substituted in for the right base. Base pair substitution.
Chromosome mutation
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.
Mutagen
Something that causes a mutation, like radiation.
Recombinant DNA (genetic engineering)
DNA that comes from combining a bacteria’s plasmid with the gene of choice.
Transgenic organism
An organism that has genes from another organism added to it.
Restriction enzyme
This cuts DNA in specific places.
Ligase enzyme
This enzyme fixes the gaps and mends the backbone when sticky ends of the cut DNA attach.
Plasmid
The small circular chromosome that bacteria have.
Cloning
Using genetic material from one organism to make a genetically identical copy of that organism.
DNA sequencing
Looking for the exact sequence of nucleotides in DNA. It is useful for determining ancestry.
PCR
Polymerase chain reaction. It makes copies of DNA from a limited supply if you need more, for example, in forensics.
Human Genome Project
A project to map the human genome (all of the traits/genes humans can have).
Proteonomics
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?
DNA fingerprinting
Determining identity by analyzing a pattern of DNA characteristics that is unique to a certain organism.
Gene therapy
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.
Gene chip
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.
