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Biology Unit-4: Genetics Flashcards

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3867008485deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)A nucleic acid molecule consisting of the nucleotides adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine arranged in a double-helix; the genetic material of all organisms0
3867035859DNA replicationThe process by which a DNA molecule is copied; also called DNA synthesis; the double-helix opens, the two strands separate, and each is used as a template for producing a new opposing strand1
3867061464ribonucleic acid (RNA)A nucleic acid consisting of the nucleotides adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil; usually single-stranded; functions in protein synthesis, gene regulation, and as the genome of some viruses2
3867097747messenger RNA (mRNA)A type of RNA synthesized using a DNA template that attaches to ribosomes in the cytoplasm and specifies the primary structure of a protein3
3867117638transfer RNA (tRNA)An RNA molecule that functions as a translator between nucleic acid and protein languages by carrying specific amino acids to the ribosome, where they recognize the appropriate codons in the mRNA4
3867132228codonA three-nucleotide sequence of DNA or mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or termination signal; the basic unit of the genetic code5
3867146085anticodonA nucleotide triplet at one end of a tRNA molecule that base pairs with a particular complementary codon on an mRNA molecule6
3867171666protein synthesis (gene expression)The process by which information encoded in DNA directs the synthesis of proteins7
3867189846transcriptionThe synthesis of RNA using a DNA template8
3867206053RNA processingModification of RNA primary transcripts, including splicing out of introns, joining together of exons, and alteration of the 5' and 3' ends9
3867256705translationThe synthesis of a polypeptide (a protein) using the genetic information encoded in an mRNA molecule; there is a change of "language" from nucleotides to amino acids10
3867275034mutationA change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA or in the DNA or RNA of a virus11
3867292625intronA region of DNA separating two parts of a gene; transcribed but later removed from mRNA during RNA processing12
3867318137exonA sequence transcribed from DNA that remains in the RNA after RNA processing; also refers to the segments of DNA from which this sequence was transcribed13
3867345179virusAn infectious particle incapable of replicating outside of a cell, consisting of an RNA or DNA genome surrounded by a protein coat (capsid) and in some cases a membranous envelope14
3867359482bacteriophageA virus that infects bacteria; also called a phage15
3867403778alleleA particular form of a gene that may produce distinguishable phenotypic effects16
3867437918traitOne of two or more detectable variants in a genetic character; a feature of an organism17
3867455111dominant alleleAn allele that is fully expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygote18
3867479919recessive alleleAn allele whose phenotypic effect is not observed in a heterozygote19
3867506423homozygousHaving two identical alleles for a given gene20
3867514026heterozygousHaving two different alleles for a given gene21
3867530199genotypeThe genetic makeup or set of alleles of an organism22
3867538434phenotypeThe observable physical and physiological traits of an organism which are determined by its genotype23
3867549194incomplete dominanceThe situation in which the phenotype of heterozygotes is intermediate between the phenotypes of individuals homozygous for either allele24
3867580612codominanceThe situation in which the phenotypes of both alleles are exhibited in the heterozygote because both alleles affect the phenotype in separate, distinguishable ways25
3867599733monohybrid crossA cross involving parents that differ only by a single trait, or a cross in which only a single trait is followed26
3867632234dihybrid crossA cross between two genotypically identical dihybrids27
3867651976multiple allelesThe alleles of a gene locus when there are are more than two alternatives in a population28
3867664416sex-linked gene (sex linked trait)A gene located on either sex chromosome; most sex-linked genes are on the X-chromosome and show distinctive patterns of inheritance; there are very few genes on the Y-chromosome29
3867686470sex chromosomeA chromosome responsible for determining the sex of an individual30
3867702136pedigreeA diagram of a family tree with conventional symbols, showing the occurrence of heritable characters in parents and offspring over multiple generations31
3867711100karyotypeThe display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape (researchers do this; it does not occur naturally)32
3867387358biotechnologyThe exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.33
3867368105restriction enzymeA type of enzyme that recognizes and cuts DNA molecules at specific nucleotide sequences (restriction sites)34

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