Unit 3 List 1 DNA & Heredity Flashcards
molecules that combine to form proteins
amino acid
a compound that is one of the four bases of nucleic acids; is paired with thymine
adenine
a trinucleotide sequence located at one end of a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule, which is complementary to a corresponding codon in a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence
anticodon
a classification used to identify cells that share morphological or phenotypical features.
cell types
the process in which a stem cell changes from one type to a differentiated one
cell differentiation
a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes
chromosome
a sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that corresponds with a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis
codon
the gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell
cytoplasm
a compound found in living tissues as a constituent base of nucleic acids. It is paired with guanine in double-stranded DNA.
cytosine
a sugar derived from ribose by replacing a hydroxyl group with hydrogen
deoxyribose
a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix; this polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis, especially that in the structure of the DNA molecule
double helix
an organelle found in both animal and plant cells; main function of this organelle is to produce cellular products such as hormones and lipids
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
a series of connected flattened sacs, part of a continuous membrane organelle within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, that plays a central role in the synthesis of proteins
rough endoplasmic reticulum
Proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions; the molecules upon which these proteins act upon are called substrates, and they convert substrates into different molecules known as products
enzyme
a complex of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, involved in secretion and intracellular transport
golgi apparatus
a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristics of the offspring
gene
A chemical compound that is one of the four nitrogen bases that make up the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is a purine and pairs with cytosine
guanine
an interaction in which a hydrogen atom bridges two electronegative atoms (usually nitrogen or oxygen); holds two strands of a DNA helix together
hydrogen bond
a molecule that contains the instructions or recipe that directs the cells to make a protein using its natural machinery; messenger
mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid)
any change in the DNA sequence of a cell
mutation
a molecule that contains nitrogen and has the chemical properties of a base; for DNA, it is adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine; for RNA, it is adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine
nitrogenous base
a double layer that encloses the cell’s nucleus, where the chromosome’s reside
nuclear membrane
large biomolecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses; major function involves the storage and expression of genomic information
nucleic acid
