Unit 3 List 1 DNA & Heredity Flashcards
Adenine
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Amino acid
Molecules that combine to form proteins.
Anticodon
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.
Cell types
Cell types are the basic functional units of an organism.
Cell differentiation
The process of cells becoming specialized in their structures and function and performing a certain job in the body.
Chromosome
A structure found inside the nucleus of a cell.
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.
Deoxyribose
A sugar derived from ribose by replacing a hydroxyl group with hydrogen.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
The molecule that carries genetic information.
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
Proteins that help speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies.
Gene
The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring.
Golgi apparatus
A stack of small flat sacs formed by membranes inside the cell’s cytoplasm.
Guanine
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA and RNA.
Nitrogenous base
A molecule that contains nitrogen and has the chemical properties of a base.
Hydrogen bond
An attraction between two atoms that already participate in other chemical bonds.
mRNA
mRNA molecules carry the genetic information needed to make proteins.
Mutation
Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell.
Nuclear membrane
A double layer that encloses the cell’s nucleus, where the chromosomes reside.
Nucleic acid
Nucleic acids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that serve as the primary information-carrying molecules in cells.
Nucleotide
A building block for nucleic acids.
Nucleus
The central part of an atom, usually made up of protons and neutrons.
Peptide bond
A chemical bond by joining the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of another.
Phosphate group
A functional group characterized by a phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.
Polypeptides
A single linear chain of many amino acids held together by amide bonds.
Protein synthesis
The process that cells use to create proteins.
Ribose
An organic compound classified as a monosaccharide, or simple sugar.
Ribosome
A structure found inside cells that is involved in making proteins.
RNA
A nucleic acid present in all living cells that has structural similarities to DNA. However, RNA is single-stranded.
rRNA
Ribosomal RNA is part of the ribosome, or protein builders, of the cell.
Start codon
The first codon of a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript translated by a ribosome.
Stop codon
A codon that signals the termination of the translation process of the current protein.
Thymine
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of DNA.
Transcription
The process by which a cell makes an RNA copy of a piece of DNA.
Translation
The process by which a cell makes proteins using the genetic information carried in messenger RNA (mRNA).
tRNA
A small RNA molecule that plays a key role in protein synthesis.
Uracil
A chemical compound that is used to make one of the building blocks of RNA.
Vesicle
A small sac formed by a membrane and filled with liquid.
