Chapter 10

Question 0

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; the late stages of
HIV infection, characterized by a reduced number of T cells and the appearance of characteristic opportunistic infections.

Answer 0

AIDS

Question 1

A double-ring nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA.

Answer 1

Adenine

Question 2

On a tRNA molecule, a specific sequence of three nucleotides that is complementary to a codon triplet on mRNA.

Answer 2

Anticodon

Question 3

A virus that infects bacteria; also called a phage.

Answer 3

Bacteriophage

Question 4

The protein shell that encloses a viral genome. It may be rod-shaped, polyhedral, or more complex in shape.

Answer 4

Capsid

Question 5

A three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or polypeptide termination signal; the basic unit of the genetic code.

Answer 5

Codon

Question 6

The union (mating) of two bacterial cells or protist cells and the transfer of DNA between the two cells.

Answer 6

Conjugation

Question 7

A single-ring nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA.

Answer 7

Cytosine

Question 8

An enzyme, essential for DNA replication, that catalyzes the covalent bonding of adjacent DNA strands; used in genetic engineering to paste a specific piece of DNA containing a gene of interest into a bacterial plasmid or other vector.

Answer 8

DNA Ligase

Question 9

An enzyme that assembles DNA nucleotides into polynucleotides using a preexisting strand of DNA as a template.

Answer 9

DNA polymerase

Question 10

The form of native DNA, referring to its two adjacent polynucleotide strands wound into a spiral shape.

Answer 10

Double Helix

Question 11

A virus that has appeared suddenly or has recently come to the attention of medical scientists.

Answer 11

Emerging Virus

Question 12

A piece of DNA that can exist as a bacterial plasmid. The F factor carries genes for making sex pili and other structures needed for conjugation, as well as a site where DNA replication can start. F stands for fertility.

Answer 12

F-Factor

Question 13

The set of rules that dictates the correspondence between RNA codons in an mRNA molecule and amino acids in protein.

Answer 13

Genetic Code

Question 14

A double-ring nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA.

Answer 14

Guanine

Question 15

Human immunodeficiency virus, the retrovirus that attacks the
human immune system and causes AIDS.

Answer 15

HIV

Question 16

A type of bacteriophage replication cycle in which the viral genome is incorporated into the bacterial host chromosome as a prophage. New phages are not produced, and the host cell is not killed or lysed unless the viral genome leaves the host chromosome.

Answer 16

Lysogenic Cycle

Question 17

A type of viral replication cycle resulting in the release of new viruses by lysis (breaking open) of the host cell.

Answer 17

Lytic Cycle

Question 18

The study of the molecular basis of genes and gene expression; molecular genetics.

Answer 18

Molecular Biology

Question 19

A chemical or physical agent that interacts with DNA and causes a mutation.

Answer 19

Mutagen

Question 20

The creation of a mutation.

Answer 20

Mutagenesis

Question 21

A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism’s DNA; mutation also can occur in the DNA or RNA of a virus; the ultimate source of genetic diversity.

Answer 21

Mutation

Question 22

An organic monomer consisting of a five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group. Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids.

Answer 22

Nucleotide

Question 23

One of two of a ribosome’s binding sites for tRNA during translation. The P site holds the tRNA carrying the growing polypeptide chain. (P stands for peptidyl tRNA.)

Answer 23

P-Site

Question 24

A small ring of independently replicating DNA separate from the main chromosome(s). Plasmids are found in prokaryotes and yeast.

Answer 24

Plasmid