Unit 2 Flashcards
Nucleotides
The repeating unit of nucleic acids; composed of a sugar group, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Chargaff’s rule
In DNA, the percent composition of adenine is the same as thymine, and the percent composition of cytosine is the same as guanine.
Complementary Base Pairing
In DNA, the interaction of bases of nucleotides on opposite strands through the formation of hydrogen bonds.
Antiparallel
The directionality of the two strands in a DNA molecule; the strands run in opposite directions, with each end of a DNA molecule containing the 3’ end of one strand and the 5’ end of the other strand.
Genome
The complete genetic makeup of an organism; an organism’s total DNA sequence.
Gene
The basic unit of heredity that determines, in whole or part, a genetic trait; a specific sequence of DNA that encodes for proteins and RNA molecules and can contain sequences that influence these molecules.
Nucleoid
A structure in bacteria that contains the chromosomal DNA.
DNA supercoiling
The formation of additional coils in the DNA structure due to twisting forces on the molecule.
Regulatory Sequence
A DNA sequence that regulates a gene’s activity.
Histone
A member of a family of proteins that associate with DNA in eukaryotic cells, which acts to help compact the DNA.
Chromatin
The non-condensed form of genetic material that predominates for most of the eukaryotic cell cycle; consists of a complex of DNA and proteins.
DNA replication
The process of producing two identical DNA molecules from an original, parent DNA molecule.
Semi-Conservative Replication
The mechanism of DNA replication in which each newly synthesized DNA molecule is composed of one strand from the original DNA molecule and one new strand.
Origin of Replication
The DNA sequence where replication begins.
Helicase
A group of enzymes that aid in unwinding DNA.
DNA Polymerase 3
An enzyme that adds nucleotides to the 3’ end of a growing polynucleotide strand.
Okazaki Fragments
Short DNA fragments that are generated during the synthesis of the lagging strand in DNA replication.
Primer
In DNA replication, a short segment of RNA that is complementary to a part of the 3’ to 5’ DNA template strand and serves as a starting point for addition of nucleotides.
DNA Polymerase 1
An enzyme that removes RNA primer and fills gaps between Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand with DNA nucleotides; proofreads newly synthesized DNA.
DNA Ligase
An enzyme that catalyzes the joining of Okazaki fragments.
DNA Polymerase 2
An enzyme that proofreads newly synthesized DNA.