U3 Chapter 16: The Molecular Basis of Inheritance Flashcards
Phages
Bacteriophage, also called phage or bacterial virus, any of a group of viruses that infect bacteria
Double Helix
Physical structure of DNA. A DNA molecule is made up of two linked strands that wind around each other to resemble a twisted ladder in a helix-like shape. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups
Antiparallel
The opposite orientations of the two strands of a DNA double helix; the 5’ end of one strand aligns with the 3’ end of the other strand
DNA Replication
Process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules
Semiconservative
After one round of replication, every new DNA double helix would be a hybrid that consisted of one strand of old DNA bound to one strand of newly synthesized DNA
Replication Fork
The point at which the two strands of DNA are separated to allow replication of each strand
DNA Polymerase
A type of enzyme that is responsible for forming new copies of DNA, in the form of nucleic acid molecules. Nucleic acids are polymers, which are large molecules made up of smaller, repeating units that are chemically connected to one another
Mismatch Repair
Enzymes correct errors that persist
Nucleotide Excision Repair
A process by which nucleases cut out and other enzymes replace damaged stretched of DNA
Telomeres
Repetitive sequences at the ends of linear DNA molecules, postpones the erosion of genes
Chromatin
The complex of genomic DNA with proteins called histones, where each histone-bound DNA molecule is referred to as a chromosome
Histones
A type of protein found in chromosomes. Histones bind to DNA, help give chromosomes their shape, and help control the activity of genes. Enlarge. Structure of DNA
Nucleosomes
The most basic units of DNA packaging
Euchromatin
10-nm fiber chromatin is loosely arranged
- generally accessible for gene transcription
Heterochromatin
Densely arranged chromatin
