Ch 12 - DNA Flashcards
(28 cards)
transformation
when one type of DNA is permanently changed into another type of DNA
transfer RNA
transfers each amino acid to the ribosome as it is specified by coded messages in mRNA
exon
DNA sequence that code for proteins
point mutation
gene mutation involving changes in one or few nucleotides
differentiation
when cells become specialized in structure and function
point synthesis
process when cells create proteins based on the instructions encoded in DNA
replication
when a cell replicated its DNA before cell division
transcription
when copying part of the nucleotide sequence of DNA into a complementary sequence of RNA to make RNA molecules
codon
3 consecutive nucleotides that specify a single amino acid
frameshift mutation
shifts in the “reading frame” of the genetic message
purine
essential part of organic compound forming essential part of DNA and RNA - Adenine and Guanine
nucleotide
the units that make up DNA, made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base
DNA polymerase
joins individual nucleotides to make a DNA molecule, also “proofreads” each DNA strand
RNA polymerase
binds and separates DNA strands
translation
decoding of mRNA message into a polypeptide chain
polyploidy
condition in which an organism has an extra set of chromosomes
pyrimidine
organic compound that forms an essential part of nucleotides, which make up DNA and RNA - Cytosine, guanine, Thymine, adenine
base pairing
when bonds in DNA can only form between adenine & thymine and guanine & cytosine
messenger RNA
RNA molecules that carry copies of instructions for assembling amino acids
promoter
uses signals to tell where RNA polymerase needs to bind to it
anticodon
three unpaired bases that are complimentary to one mRNA codon
operon
a group of genes that operate together
amino acids
building blocks of proteins
chromatin
when DNA and protein are packed together in eukaryotic cells
