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AP Biology Molecular Genetics Flashcards

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9828334591DNA ligaseA linking enzyme essential for DNA replication and recombinant DNA techniques0
9828334592Histonesproteins around which eukaryotic DNA is tightly coiled in chromatin1
9828334593TranscriptionThe synthesis of RNA using DNA as a template (takes place in the nucleus)2
9828334594Messenger RNA(produced during transcription) It carries the genetic message of DNA to the protein-making machinery of the cell in the cytoplasm, the ribosome3
9828334595RNA PolymeraseAn enzyme that separates the two DNA strands and connects the RNA nucleotides as they base-pair along the DNA template strand (can only add RNA nucleotides to the 3' end of strand, so RNA elongates in the 5' to 3' direction4
9828334596PromoterSpecific region of a gene where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription5
9828334597TerminatorThe DNA sequence that signals the end of transcription6
9828334598Transcription FactorsAssist the bind of RNA polymerase to the promoter and thus the initiation of transcription7
9828334599IntronsNoncoding segments of nucleic acid that lie between coding sequences.8
9828334600Exonsexpressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein9
9828334601snRNAFound only in the nucleus of eukaryotes and functions to remove introns from mRNA10
9828334602RibozymeRNA enzyme that removes introns and splices exons together11
9828334603Operonset of prokaryotic operator and promoter sites and the structural genes they control12
9828334604Regulatory GenesProduce repressor proteins that bind to the operatore site (when regulatory protein occupies operator site RNA polymerase is blocked and operon is off)13
9828334605Repressible OperonNormally on but can be inhibited; repressor protein produced by the regulatory gene is inactive14
9828334606Inducible OperonAn operon that is normally off but can be activated and is normally catabolic15
9828334607DNA methylationThe addition of methyl groups to DNA which causes DNA to be more tightly packaged, reducing gene expression16
9828334608Histone AcetylationAcetylation of histone "loosens" DNA so that it can be transcribed.17
9828334609Recombinant DNADNA that has been artificially made using DNA from different sources18
9828334610Gene cloningThe process by which scientists can produce multiple copies of specific segments of DNA that they can work with in the lab19
9828334611Restriction EnzymesUsed to cut strands of DNA at specific locations20
9828334612Sticky endThe single stranded end of DNA when restriction enzymes cut it (can form hydrogen bonds with complementary single-stranded pieces of DNA) DNA ligase(an enzyme) can seal those two single-stranded pieces21
9828334613Prokaryotic DNA traitsno introns, not in nucleus, circular, one chromosome, plasmids22
9828334614Eukaryotic DNA traitshistones, introns, linear, more than one chromosome, chromatin23
9828334615electrophoresistechnique used in laboratories in order to separate DNA/RNA, proteins based on size24
9828334616plasmidBacterial genes outside the main chromosome25
9828334617transformationgenetic alteration of a cell resulting from the direct uptake of genetic material from its surroundings through the cell membrane26
9828334618micro RNAa RNA fragment that prevents the production of a particular protein by binding to and destroying the messenger RNA that would have produced the protein.27
9828334619RNAiRNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules28
9828334620cytoplasmic determinantsregions of the cytoplasm accumulate chemicals whose distribution is heterogenic. They play a role in development of the embryo's organs. Each type of cell is determined by a particular determinant29
9828334621pattern formationgeneration of cell fates in space and time controlled by genes. Morphogenesis.30
9828334622PCRtechnique used to amplify DNA generating millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence31
9828334623hox genea group of genes that control the body plan of an embryo along the head-tail axis. Hox proteins determine the type of appendages or vertebrae that will form on a segment32
9828334624transposona DNA sequence that can change position within a genome, sometimes creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell's genetic identity and genome size.33
9828334625p53 genehalts the cell cycle when the cell is need of repair.34
9828334626reverse transcriptaseAn enzyme used by retroviruses that catalyzes the synthesis of DNA on an RNA template.35
9828334627cDNAComplementary strand of DNA synthesized from an RNA template by the enzyme reverse transcriptase.36
9828334628inductionThe process by which neighboring cells can influence the determination of a cell.37
9828334629inducerA specific small molecule that inactivates the repressor in an operon.38
9828334630activatorA protein that binds to DNA and stimulates transcription of a specific gene.39
9828334631transductionTransfer of genes between bacteria by bacteriophages.40

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