Unit 3 List 1 DNA and Heredity TjB Flashcards
Adenine
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Amino Acid
Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins.
Anticodon
a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA.
Cell Types
A cell type is a classification used to identify cells that share morphological or phenotypical features.
cell differentiation
The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.
Chromosome
a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
Codon
a sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that corresponds with a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.
Cytoplasm
The gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell.
Cytosine
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is a pyrimidine and pairs with guanine.
Deoxyribose
A sugar that has five carbon atoms and four oxygen atoms in each molecule and is part of DNA
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
A molecule that contains the genetic code that is unique to every individual.
Double helix
A term used to describe the physical structure of DNA.
Endoplasmic reticulum (smooth and rough)
A network of membranes inside a cell through which proteins and other molecules move.
enzyme
A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
Gene
The basic unit of heredity passed from parent to child.
Golgi apparatus
A cell organelle that helps process and package proteins and lipid molecules, especially proteins destined to be exported from the cell.
Guanine
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is a type of purine and pairs with cytosine.
Hydrogen Bond
An attraction between two atoms that already participate in other chemical bonds.
mRNA
A molecule that contains the instructions or recipe that directs the cells to make a protein using its natural machinery.
Mutation
Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell.
Nitrogenous bases
Nitrogen containing organic compounds that form an important part of the nucleic acids.
Nuclear membrane
A double layer that encloses the cell’s nucleus, where the chromosomes reside.
Nucleic acid
A complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain.
Nucleotide
The basic building block of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA)
Nucleus
The membrane-enclosed organelle within a cell that contains the chromosomes.
Peptide bond
The vital links that connect amino acids to form polypeptide chains, which fold into functional proteins.
Phosphate group
A phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms.
Polypeptides
Biomaterials composed of repeating amino acid units linked by a peptide bond.
Protien synthesis
The process by which amino acids are linearly arranged into proteins through the involvement of ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, messenger RNA, and various enzymes.
Ribose
A sugar that forms the backbone of a very important molecule called ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Ribosome
The cellular machinery responsible for making proteins.
RNA
Ribonucleic acid (abbreviated RNA) is a nucleic acid present in all living cells that has structural similarities to DNA.
rRNA
molecule in cells that forms part of the protien-synthesizing organelle known as a ribosome.
start codon
The start codon is the first codon of a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript translated by a ribosome.
Stop codon
A sequence of three nucleotides (a trinucleotide) in DNA or messenger RNA (mRNA) that signals a halt to protein synthesis in the cell.
Thymine
A compound which is one of the four constituent bases of nucleic acids. A pyrimidine derivative, it is paired with adenine in double-stranded DNA.
Transcription
The process by which a cell makes an RNA copy of a piece of DNA.
Translation
Translation is the process of translating the sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule to a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis.
tRNA
A type of RNA molecule that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein.
Uracil
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of RNA. It is a type of pyrimidine.
Vesicle
A structure within or outside a cell, consisting of liquid or cytoplasm enclosed by a lipid bilayer.
