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
the basic building block of nucleic acids; monomer of nucleic acid
nucleotide
the structure in a cell that contains the chromosomes
nucleus
a covalent bond that links amino acids together to form a protein
peptide bond
a phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms
phosphate group
a chain of amino acids
polypeptide
the process that cells use to create proteins
protein synthesis
a sugar that forms the backbone of ribonucleic acid (RNA)
ribose
a structure found inside cells that is involved in making proteins
ribosome
a molecule that is present in the majority of living things and viruses; copy/transcription of DNA; its nitrogenous bases are adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine
RNA (ribonucleic acid)
molecules in cells that forms part of the protein-synthesizing organelle known as a ribosome and that is exported to the cytoplasm to help translate the information in mRNA into protein
rRNA
the initial set of codons in an mRNA transcript that is translated by a ribosome
start codon
a codon that signals the termination of the translation process of the current protein
stop codon
a pyrimidine that is ONLY found in DNA and pairs with adenine; stabilizes nucleic acid structures
thymine
the process by which a cell makes an RNA copy of a piece of DNA
transcription
the process by which a cell makes proteins using the genetic information carried in messenger RNA (mRNA)
translation
a type of RNA that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein
tRNA
a chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of RNA and is a type of pyrimidine; ONLY found in RNA
uracil
a structure within or outside a cell, consisting of liquid or cytoplasm enclosed by a lipid bilayer.
vesicle
