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Biopsych > appendix: molecular biology (and ch. 4) > Flashcards

appendix: molecular biology (and ch. 4) Flashcards

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1
Q

Gene

A

A length of DNA that encodes the information for constructing a particular protein

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2
Q

Protein

A

A long string of amino acids. Proteins are the basic building material of organisms

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3
Q

Enzyme

A

A complicated protein whose action increases the probability of a specific chemical reaction

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4
Q

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A

A nucleic acid that is present in the chromosomes of cells and codes hereditary information

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5
Q

Nucleotide

A

A portion of DNA or RNA molecule that is composed of a single base and the adjoining sugar-phosphate unit of the strand

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6
Q

Hybridization

A

The process by which one string of nucleotides becomes linked to a complementary series of nucleotides

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7
Q

Chromosome

A

A complex of condensed strands of DNA and associated protein molecules. Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of cells

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8
Q

Eukaryotes

A

Any organism whose cells have the genetic material contained within a nuclear envelope

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9
Q

Cell nucleus

A

The spherical central structure of a cell that contains the chromosomes

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10
Q

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

A

A nucleic acid that implements information found in DNA

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11
Q

Transcription

A

The process during which mRNA forms bases complementary to a strand of DNA. The resulting message (called a transcript) is then used to translate the DNA code into protein molecules

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12
Q

Messenger RNA (mRNA) or transcript

A

A strand of RNA that carries the code of a section of DNA strand to the cytoplasm

Also called message

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13
Q

Ribosome

A

An organelle in the cell body where genetic information is translated to produce proteins

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14
Q

Translation

A

The process by which amino acids are linked together (directed by an mRNA molecule) to form protein molecules

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15
Q

Codon

A

A set of three nucleotides that uniquely encodes one particular amino acid

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16
Q

Peptide

A

A short string of amino acids. Longer strings of amino acids are called proteins

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17
Q

Genome

A

All the genetic information that one specific individual has inherited

Also called genotype

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18
Q

Gene expression

A

The process by which a cell makes an mRNA transcript of a particular gene

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19
Q

Cell differentiation

A

The developmental stage in which cells squire distinctive characteristics, such as those of neurons, as the result of expressing particular genes

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20
Q

Clones

A

Asexually produced organisms that are genetically identical

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21
Q

DNA sequencing

A

The process by which the order of nucleotides in a gene is identified

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22
Q

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A

A method for reproducing a particular RNA or DNA sequence manyfold, allowing amplification for sequencing or manipulating the sequence

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23
Q

Transgenic

A

Referring to an animal in which a new or altered gene has been deliberately introduced into the genome

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24
Q

Probe

A

In molecular biology, a manufactured sequence of DNA that is made to include a label (a colorful or radioactive molecule) that lets us track its location

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25
Gel electrophoresis
A method of separating molecules of differing size or electrical charge by forcing them to flow through a gel
26
Blotting
Transferring DNA, RNA, or protein fragments to nitrocellulose following separation via gel electrophoresis. The blotted substance can then be labeled
27
Southern blot
A method of detecting a particular DNA sequence in the genome of an organism, by separating DNA with gel electrophoresis, blotting the separated DNA molecules onto nitrocellulose, and then using a nucleotide probe to hybridize with, and highlight, the gene of interest
28
Northern blot
A method for detecting a particular RNA transcript in a tissue or organ, by separating RNA from that source with gel electrophoresis, blotting the separated RNA molecules onto nitrocellulose, and then using a nucleotide probe to hybridize with, and highlight, the transcription of interest
29
In situ hybridization
A method for detecting particular RNA transcripts in tissue sections by providing a nucleotide probe that is complementary to, and will therefore hybridize with, the transcript of interest
30
Antibodies
A large protein that recognizes and permanently binds to particular shapes, normally as part of the immune system attack on foreign particles Also called immunoglobulin
31
Western blot
A method of detecting a particular protein molecule in a tissue or organ, by separating proteins from that source with gel electrophoresis, blotting the separated proteins onto nitrocellulose, and then using an antibody that binds, and highlights, the protein of interest
32
Immunocytochemistry (ICC)
A method for detecting a particular protein in tissues in which an antibody recognizes and binds to the protein and then chemical methods are used to leave a visible reaction product around each antibody
33
neuroleptics or antipsychotics
any of a class of antipsychotic drugs that alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia, typically by blocking dopamine receptors
34
atypical neuroleptic
an antipsychotic drug that has actions other than or in addition to the dopamine D2 receptor antagonism that characterizes the typical neuroleptics
35
antidepressant
a drug that relieves the symptoms of depression
36
monoamine oxidase (MAO)
an enzyme that breaks down monoamine transmitters, thereby inactivating them
37
tricyclic antidepressant
an antidepressant that acts by increasing the synaptic accumulation of serotonin and norepinephrine
38
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
a drug that blocks the reuptake of transmitter at serotonergic synapses
39
depressant
a drug that reduces the excitability of neurons
40
barbiturate
an early anxiolytic drug and sleep aid that has depressant activity in the nerve system
41
benzodiazepine
any of a class of anti anxiety drug that are agonists of GABAa receptors in the central nervous system one example is diazepam (valium)
42
opium
an extract of the seedpod juice of the opium poppy, palaver somniferum; drugs based on opium are potent painkillers
43
morphine
an opiate compound derived from the poppy flower
44
analgesic
having painkilling properties
45
heroin
diacetylmorphine; an artificially modified, very potent form of morphine
46
opioid receptor
a receptor that responds to endogenous opioids and/or exogenous opiates
47
periaqueductal gray
the neuronal body–rich region of the midbrain surrounding the cerebral aqueduct that connects the third and fourth ventricles; it is involved in pain perception
48
endogenous opioid
any of a class of opium-like peptide transmitters that have been called the body's own narcotics; the three kinds are enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins
49
enkephalin
one of the three kinds of endogenous opioids
50
endorphin
one of the three kinds of endogenous opioids
51
dynorphin
one of the three kinds of endogenous opioids
52
tobacco
a highly addictive North American plant whose leaves (usually dried and smoked) are a major source of nicotine
53
nicotine
a compound found in plants, including tobacco, that acts as an agonist on a large class of cholinergic receptors
54
stimulant
a drug that enhances the excitability of neurons
55
alcohol
a neuroactive compound (primarily the ethyl alcohol found in various beverages) that first stimulates and then depresses neural activity, with varied behavioral consequences
56
fetal alcohol syndrome
a disorder, including intellectual disability and characteristic facial abnormalities, that affects children exposed to too much alcohol (through maternal ingestion) during fetal development
57
marijuana
a dried preparation of the cannabis sativa plant, usually smoked to obtain THC
58
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
the major active ingredient in marijuana
59
endocannabinoid
an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors; thus, an analog of marijuana that is produced by the brain
60
anandamide
an endogenous substance that binds the cannabinoid receptor molecule
61
caffeine
a stimulant compound found in coffee, cacao, and other plants
62
cocaine
a drug of abuse, derived from the coca plant, that acts by enhancing catecholamine neurotransmission
63
amphetamine
a molecule that resembles the structure of the catecholamine transmitters and enhances their activity
64
hallucinogen
a drug that alters sensory perception and produces peculiar experiences
65
LSD
lysergic acid diethyl amide, a hallucinogenic drug also called acid
66
MDMA
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a drug of abuse also called ecstasy
67
dissociative
a type of drug that produces a dreamlike state in which consciousness is partly separated from sensory inputs
68
withdrawal symptom
an uncomfortable symptom that arises when a person stops taking a drug that he or she has used frequently, especially at high doses
69
dysphoria
unpleasant feelings; the opposite of euphoria
70
dependence
a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems
71
substance abuse
maladaptive patterns of substance use that has persisted for at least a month or occurred repeatedly
72
nucleus accumbens
a region of the forebrain that receives dopaminergic innervation from the ventral segmental areas
73
insula
a region of cortex lying below the surface, within the lateral sulcus, of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes

Biopsych (16 decks)

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