DNA, RNA and Proteins

Science

A group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to three bases on an mRNA codon

Anticodon

A group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to three bases on an mRNA codon. Anticodon. An anticodon is a sequence on tRNA that pairs with a matching codon on mRNA during protein synthesis.

States that in DNA, guanine bonds with cytosine and adenine bonds with thymine

Base pairing rule

States that in DNA, guanine bonds with cytosine and adenine bonds with thymine. Base pairing rule. Its a rule in genetics that describes how the bases in the DNA strands pair up to form the structure of DNA.

The change in the structure of a cell for a specialized function

Cell differentiation

The change in the structure of a cell for a specialized function. Cell differentiation. It's the process by which cells become specialized to perform specific tasks in the body.

A set of three bases in DNA or RNA, it codes for a single amino acid

Codon

A set of three bases in DNA or RNA, it codes for a single amino acid. Codon. A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that directs the addition of a specific amino acid during protein synthesis.

Deoxyribonucleic acid or ‘DNA’, carries an organism's genetic information

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, carries an organism's genetic information. DNA is like a recipe book containing all the instructions for building and maintaining a living organism.

An enzyme involved in DNA formation, it creates bonds between nucleotides

DNA polymerase

An enzyme involved in DNA formation, it creates bonds between nucleotides. DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase is a protein that helps build new strands of DNA by linking together building blocks called nucleotides.

The twisted ladder shape of a DNA molecule

Double helix

The twisted ladder shape of a DNA molecule. Double helix. A double helix is the shape formed by two intertwined strands that make up the structure of DNA.

A DNA sequence that codes part of the final mRNA

Exon

A DNA sequence that codes part of the final mRNA. Exon. An exon is a segment of a DNA or RNA molecule that contains information coding for a protein or peptide sequence.

A mutation that adds or deletes a base, and shifts the DNA sequence

Frameshift mutation

A mutation that adds or deletes a base, and shifts the DNA sequence. Frameshift mutation. A frameshift mutation changes how DNA is read, often leading to major protein changes.

The part of a chromosome that contains the DNA for a specific trait

Gene

The part of a chromosome that contains the DNA for a specific trait. Gene. A gene is a section of DNA that determines a particular characteristic or trait in an organism.

The protein around which DNA wraps

Histone

The protein around which DNA wraps. Histone. Histones are proteins that act like spools, organizing and compacting DNA into a structure called chromatin.

A DNA sequence that does not code for any amino acid

Intron

A DNA sequence that does not code for any amino acid. Intron. An intron is a segment of DNA that is removed during the process of making proteins and does not code for amino acids.

RNA that transfers information from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, to make proteins

Messenger RNA

RNA that transfers information from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, to make proteins. messenger RNA. Messenger RNA mRNA is a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to the cell's protein-making machinery.

An agent that can cause DNA mutations, like radioactivity

Mutagen

An agent that can cause DNA mutations, like radioactivity. Mutagen. A mutagen is a substance or factor that changes the genetic information of an organism by altering its DNA.

A change in a cell’s DNA

Mutation

A change in a cells DNA. Mutation. Mutation is a random alteration in the genetic code that can affect how an organism develops or functions.

A nucleic acid sub unit that consists of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base

Nucleotide

A nucleic acid sub unit that consists of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base. nucleotide. A nucleotide is the basic building block of DNA and RNA, which are the molecules that store and transmit genetic information.

A section of DNA that contains the code to begin and regulate transcription, and build a protein

Operon

A section of DNA that contains the code to begin and regulate transcription, and build a protein. Operon. An operon is a cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, functioning as a unit to produce messenger RNA in bacteria.

A gene mutation caused by a change in a single DNA base pair

Point mutation

A gene mutation caused by a change in a single DNA base pair. Point mutation. A point mutation is when one tiny piece of DNA is swapped for another, changing the genetic code.

A condition where an organism has extra sets of chromosomes

Polyploidy

A condition where an organism has extra sets of chromosomes. Polyploidy is when an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes, which can lead to larger cell size and sometimes greater adaptability.

A region of DNA which tells an enzyme where to bind, to make RNA

Promoter

A region of DNA which tells an enzyme where to bind, to make RNA. Promoter. A promoter is a DNA sequence that acts like a start signal for an enzyme to begin making RNA from DNA.

The process of copying DNA before cell division

Replication

The process of copying DNA before cell division is called replication. Replication is when a cell makes an exact copy of its DNA to pass on to a new cell.

The RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes

Ribosomal RNA

The RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes. Ribosomal RNA. Ribosomal RNA is a molecule that helps make proteins in your cells by forming part of the ribosome, a machine that builds proteins.

Ribonucleic acid or RNA, a molecule that aids in protein synthesis

RNA

Ribonucleic acid or RNA, a molecule that aids in protein synthesis. RNA. RNA is a type of molecule that helps create proteins in our cells.

An enzyme that forms a strand of RNA using a DNA template

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that forms a strand of RNA using a DNA template. RNA polymerase. It is a molecular machine that reads DNA and builds a matching RNA strand.

The process by which RNA is created using a strand of DNA as a template

Transcription

The process by which RNA is created using a strand of DNA as a template. Transcription is like copying a recipe from a book, where DNA is the book, and RNA is the copied recipe.

RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis

Transfer RNA

RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis. Transfer RNA. Transfer RNA tRNA is a molecule that helps decode a messenger RNA mRNA sequence into a protein by bringing the right amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

The process by which mRNA is decoded into the amino acid sequence of a protein

Translation

The process by which mRNA is decoded into the amino acid sequence of a protein. Translation. Translation is when cells read the instructions in mRNA to build proteins.