Unit 3 List 1 DNA & Heredity Flashcards
adenine
one of the bases which make up the genetic code of DNA and RNA
amino acid
the building blocks of proteins
anticodon
a three-nucleotide sequence found on tRNA that binds to the corresponding mRNA sequence
cell types
plant cells and animal cells
cell differentiation
how generic embryonic cells become specialized cells
chromosome
thread-like strands that contain hundreds, or even thousands, of genes
codon
a three-letter genetic sequence found in both DNA and RNA
cytoplasm
a watery, gel-like substance made of mostly salt and water that provides a structure for the cell parts so they can move freely within the cell membrane
cytosine
a chemical base that is a pyrimidine and codes genetic information in DNA and RNA
deoxyribose
a pentose (5-carbon sugar) biological molecule
DNA
the genetic information inside the cells of the body that helps make people who they are
double helix
the arrangement in space of DNA that resembles a spirally twisted ladder with the sides made up of the sugar and phosphate units of the two nucleotide strands and the rungs made up of the pyrimidine and purine bases extending into the center and joined by hydrogen bonds.
endoplasmic reticulum
a collection of tubes that make, package, and transport proteins and fats
enzyme
important substances made by the cells of plants and animals
gene
Genes carry the information that determines your traits
Golgi apparatus
an organelle that acts as the packaging center of the cell
guanine
a purine base that codes genetic information in DNA and RNA
hydrogen bond
the electromagnetic attraction between polar molecules in which hydrogen is bound to a larger atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen
mRNA
a type of single-stranded RNA involved in protein synthesis
mutation
a mistake or a change in a living thing’s DNA
nitrogenous base
a molecule that contains nitrogen and has the chemical properties of a base
nuclear membrane
a two-layered structure that protects the nucleus, keeps DNA separate from the rest of the cell and manages what materials enter the nucleus
nucleic acid
large molecules used by living organisms to code for specific characteristics
nucleotide
any of the basic units of structure of DNA or RNA that consist of a base
nucleus
the structure in a cell that contains the chromosomes
peptide bond
a covalent bond that links amino acids together to form a protein
phosphate group
a phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms
polypeptides
a string of amino acids connected together by peptide bonds
protein synthesis
making protein
ribose
a sugar that has five carbon atoms and five oxygen atoms in each molecule and is part of RNA
ribosome
a small organelle involved in the process of making protein
RNA
a copy, or a transcription, of DNA
rRNA
an essential building block of the ribosome
start codon
the first-translated codon in an mRNA sequence, that marks the starting point for protein synthesis
stop codon
a codon that signals the termination of the translation process of the current protein.
thymine
a pyrimidine base that is one of the bases coding hereditary information in DNA
transcription
the process of copying DNA’s instructions for protein building to an RNA molecule
translation
to turn into one’s own or another language
tRNA
a relatively small RNA molecule that functions in the transfer of a particular amino acid to a growing protein at the site of protein synthesis during genetic translation
uracil
a pyrimidine base that is one of the four bases coding hereditary information in RNA
vesicle
a small cavity, cyst, or blister usually filled with fluid