1. Week 3 and 4 vocabulary
January 14, 2013

2. 1. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
The genetic material that carries information about an organism creates proteins and is passed from parent to offspring.

3. 2. mRNA -RNA molecule that copies the coded message from DNA in the nucleus and carries the message to ribosomes in the cytoplasm. 3. tRNA -RNA molecule found in the cytoplasm of a cell that carries amino acids to the ribosome and adds it to the growing protein chain.

4. 4. Nitrogen base pair -A nitrogen- containing molecule that are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. 5. Adenine -Nitrogen base that pairs with Thymine in DNA and Uracil when found in RNA. 6. Thymine -Nitrogen base that only pairs with Adenine when found in DNA. 7. Cytosine -Nitrogen base that only pairs with Guanine when found in DNA and RNA. 8. Guanine -Nitrogen base that only pairs with Cytosine when found in DNA and RNA.

5. 9. Chromatin The mass of very long, thin fibers of DNA & proteins that are found unwound within the nucleus. 10. Chromosomes are condensed chromatin into double rods (chromatids) of genetic material. 11. Replication -The process by which a cell makes a copy of the DNA in its nucleus.

6. 12. Cell Cycle -The series of events that takes place in a cell leading to its division and duplication. 13. Interphase -The 1st stage of the cell cycle that takes place before cell division occurs. 14. Mitosis -The stage of the cell cycle during which the cell's nucleus divides into 2 new nuclei and 1 copy of the DNA is distributed into each daughter cell. 15. Cytokinesis -The final stage of the cell cycle, in which the cell's cytoplasm divides, distributing the organelles into each of the 2 new cells and a new cellular membrane forms around each new cell.

7. 16. Genome is a cell’s total hereditary endowment or the entire genetic code (DNA) found within the nucleus of a cell. It takes place inside the somatic cells of humans with the exception of red blood cells & certain nerve cells. 17.Somatic cells are all the body’s cells except the reproductive cells; egg & sperm. Somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes.

8. 18. Amino Acid -A small molecule that is linked chemically in ribosomes to other amino acids to form proteins.