Ms. Womack’s Definitions DNA/RNA Vocabulary Ms. Womack’s Definitions

DNA—Deoxyribonucleic Acid Nucleic acid that stores genetic information.

RNA—Ribonucleic Acid Nucleic acid that carries out the instructions of DNA RNA transmits genetic information & helps in protein synthesis

Nucleotide Monomer of a nucleic acid Made up of 3 parts (PBS) – a Phosphate group, a Sugar, and a nitrogen-containing Base

Double Helix “Twisted ladder” structure of DNA

Chromatin DNA in its loose form – present during interphase

Chromosome DNA in its tight form Long thread of DNA that is present during cell division

Complementary Bases Nitrogen bases that pair together like puzzle pieces.

Purines The nitrogen bases Adenine (A) and Guanine (G)

Pyrimidines The nitrogen bases Cytosine (C), Thymine (T), and Uracil (U)

Hydrogen Bonds Weak bonds that hold a DNA molecule together

Replication The process of copying a strand of DNA

Gene A specific region of DNA that codes for a single protein

Transcription The process of copying DNA into a complementary strand of RNA

Translation The process of decoding the message in mRNA to make a protein

Protein Synthesis Using DNA & RNA to make proteins Synthesize = make

Codon Sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for one amino acid

Anticodon Sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that matches to an mRNA codon

Amino Acid Monomer of a protein

Peptide bond Bond that links two amino acids together

DNA Fingerprinting Using a unique DNA sequence to identify a person’s identity Used for crime scenes & paternity testing

Gel Electrophoresis Separating pieces of DNA by running an electric current through a gel

Mutation A change in the DNA sequence Are caused by mutagens

Frameshift Mutation caused by adding or deleting a nucleotide in DNA

Point Mutation caused by a single nucleotide change in DNA

Substitution Mutation where one nucleotide is swapped for another

Deletion Taking out one nucleotide from DNA

Insertion Adding one nucleotide to DNA

Translocation Mutation where a piece of one chromosome breaks off and reattaches to another chromosome