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

2. DNA—Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Nucleic acid that stores genetic information.

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

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

5. Double Helix
“Twisted ladder” structure of DNA

6. Chromatin
DNA in its loose form – present during interphase

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

8. Complementary Bases
Nitrogen bases that pair together like puzzle pieces.

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

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

11. Hydrogen Bonds
Weak bonds that hold a DNA molecule together

12. Replication
The process of copying a strand of DNA

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. Amino Acid
Monomer of a protein

20. Peptide bond
Bond that links two amino acids together

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

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

23. Mutation
A change in the DNA sequence
Are caused by mutagens

24. Frameshift
Mutation caused by adding or deleting a nucleotide in DNA

25. Point
Mutation caused by a single nucleotide change in DNA

26. Substitution
Mutation where one nucleotide is swapped for another

27. Deletion
Taking out one nucleotide from DNA

28. Insertion
Adding one nucleotide to DNA

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