 | Term | Definition |
| |
anticodon |
a three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA that recognizes a complementary codon on mRNA |
| |
bacteriophage |
virus that infects bacteria |
| |
base-pairing rules |
the rule stating that in DNA adenine on one strand always pairs with a thymine on the opposite strand and guanine on one strand always pairs with a cytosine |
| |
codon |
a three-nucleotide sequence in DNA or mRNA that encodes an amino acid or signifies a stop signal |
| |
complementary |
charateristic of nucleic acids in which the sequence of bases on one strand determines the sequences of bases on the other |
| |
deoxyribose |
five-carbon sugar that is a component of DNA nucleotides |
| |
DNA helicase |
enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between bases during DNA replication |
| |
DNA polymerase |
enzyme that catalyzes the replication of DNA by adding complementary nucleotides |
| |
DNA replication |
the process of making a copy of DNA |
| |
double helix |
spiral staircase structure characteristics of the DNA molecule |
| |
exon |
sequence of nucleotides on a gene that gets transcribed and translated |
| |
gene expression |
two stage processing of information encoded in DNA to produce proteins |
| |
genetic code |
sequence of nucleotides that specifies the amino acid sequence of a protein |
| |
intron |
segment of mRNA transcribed from eukaryotic DNA but removed before translation |
| |
lac operon |
gene system with a promoter, an operator gene, and three structural genes that control lactose metabolism |
| |
messenger RNA |
RNA copy of a gene used as a blueprint for the making of a protein during translation |
| |
nucleotide |
subunit of nucleic acids cosisting of a nitrogen base, a sugar, and a phosphate group |
| |
operator |
region of DNA that controls RNA polymerase's access to a set of genes with related functions |
| |
operon |
segment of DNA that controls gene regulation in a set of genes with related functions in prokaryotes |
| |
point mutation |
mutation in which one or just a few nucleotides in a gene are changed |
| |
replication fork |
a Y-shaped point that results when a double helix of DNA separates so that it can be copied |
| |
repressor |
protein that binds to the operator in an aperon to switch off transcription |
| |
ribonucleic acid (RNA) |
a type of nucleic acid envolved in protein synthesis |
| |
ribosomal RNA |
type of RNA moleculoe that plays a structural role in ribosomes |
| |
RNA polymerase |
enzyme that adds and links complementary RNA nucleotides during transcription |
| |
transcription |
stage of protein synthesis in which the information in DNA for making a protein is transferred to an RNA molecule |
| |
transfer RNA |
RNA molecule that temporarily carries a specific amino acid to a ribosome during translation |
| |
transformation |
the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another; first observed by Griffith |
| |
translation |
stage of gene expression in which the information in mRNA is used to make a protein |
| |
uracil |
nitrogen-containing base of RNA complementary to adenine when RNA base pairs with DNA |
| |
vaccine |
substance prepared from killed or weakened pathogens and introduced into a body to produce immunity |
| |
virulent |
referring to the deadliness of a disease-causing agent |
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