DNA Structure and Function Vocabulary:
DNA:
Nucleotide:
Nitrogen base(s):
Genome:
Chromosome:
Sugar phosphate backbone:
Cell Nucleus:
Gene:
Ribosomes:
RNA:
Uracil:
tRNA:
rRNA:
Consists of two long polymer chains of
nucleotides twisted into a double helix and
joined by hydrogen bonds
A monomer of nucleic acid composed of a
phosphate group, a nitrogen base and a
sugar (deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in
RNA).
adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine or
uracil,
a full set of chromosomes containing
information for the production of all the
inheritable traits of an organism.
A single linear strand of DNA (and
associated structural proteins) that carries
the genes and functions in the transmission
of hereditary information
The backbone of nucleic acid constructed
from alternating ribose sugar and
phosphate molecules.
a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA
and responsible for growth and
reproduction.
A hereditary unit that occupies a specific
location on a chromosome, determines a
particular characteristic in an organism by
directing the formation of a specific
protein.
A cellular organelle composed of RNA and
protein that is found in the cytoplasm of
living cells and serves as the site of
assembly for polypeptides encoded by
messenger RNA
A polymeric constituent of all living cells,
consisting of a long, usually singlestranded chain of alternating phosphate and
ribose units with the bases adenine,
guanine, cytosine, and uracil bonded to the
ribose.
one of the fundamental nitrogen bases of
RNA, in which it forms base pairs with
adenine.
One of a class of RNA molecules that
transport amino acids to ribosomes for
incorporation into a polypeptide
undergoing synthesis.
The RNA that is a permanent structural
part of a ribosome.
mRNA:
Codon:
Anticodon:
Transcription:
Translation:
Mutation:
Point Mutation:
Frame-shift mutation:
Deletion Mutation:
Insertion Mutation:
Chromosomal Mutations:
Mutagen:
The form of RNA that mediates the transfer
of genetic information from the cell
nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm,
where it serves as a template for protein
synthesis. It is synthesized from a DNA
template during the process of
transcription.
a triplet of adjacent nucleotides in the
messenger RNA chain that codes for a
specific amino acid in the synthesis of a
protein molecule.
a sequence of three nucleotides in a region
of transfer RNA that recognizes a
complementary coding triplet of
nucleotides in messenger RNA during
translation by the ribosomes in protein
biosynthesis
the process by which genetic information
on a strand of DNA is used to synthesize a
strand of complementary RNA.
the process by which a messenger RNA
molecule specifies the linear sequence of
amino acids on a ribosome for protein
synthesis.
A change of the DNA sequence within a
gene or chromosome of an organism either
through an alteration in the nucleotide
sequence of the DNA coding for a gene or
through a change in the physical
arrangement of a chromosome.
a change in a single base in a nucleotide
sequence.
A mutation in a DNA chain that occurs
when the number of nucleotides inserted or
deleted is not a multiple of three, so that
every codon beyond the point of insertion
or deletion is read incorrectly during
translation.
A mutation that arises by deletion of one or
more nucleotides from a DNA sequence.
A mutation that arises by insertion of one
or more nucleotides into a DNA sequence.
any event that changes the genetic structure
of a chromosome
a substance capable of inducing mutation
in nucleic acids.