A large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of
amino acids. Proteins perform a wide variety of activities in the cell.
Nitrogen Base:
Component of a nucleotide that can bind to other nitrogen
bases through a hydrogen bond
Nucleotide:
A unit of DNA or RNA, consisting of one chemical base plus a
phosphate molecule and a sugar molecule.
The basic building block of a protein. There are 20
different amino acids commonly found in proteins. The genetic code specifies
the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
Cellular organelle that is the site of protein synthesis in
the cytoplasm
A sequence of three nucleotides on a strand of m-RNA that
codes for an amino acid.
Anticodon
A
3-base sequence in a tRNA molecule that base-pairs with its complementary codon
in an mRNA molecule.
The process of copying information from DNA into new strands
of messenger RNA (mRNA), which then carries the information to the cytoplasm
The process of turning instructions from mRNA, codon by codon, into chains of amino acids that then fold into proteins.
A chemical cousin of DNA. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is responsible
for translating the genetic code of DNA into proteins.
Messenger RNA arises in the process of transcription from the DNA in the nucleus and determines the amino acid sequence during the translation process of protein synthesis
Transfer
RNA has a three-nucleotide sequence (the anticodon) that is complementary to a
three-nucleotide sequence in mRNA (the codon). Attachment of an amino acid
places the amino acid in proximity to allow the formation of peptide after
interacting with mRNA and the Ribosome.
A unit of DNA that determines and transmits hereditary
characteristics from parent to offspring.
The
process of producing sperm, the male reproductive cells.
The process of egg formation.
The offspring from sexual reproduction.
The process in which the genetic code carried by messenger
RNA directs cellular organelles called ribosomes to produce proteins from amino
acids
The handing down of certain traits from parents to their
offspring. The process of heredity occurs through the genes.
A gene that almost always results in a specific
characteristic, even when the person’s genome only contains one copy
Refers to a characteristic that is apparent only when two
copies of the gene encoding it are present--one from the mother and one from
the father.
Having two identical forms (alleles) of a particular gene
(eg AA, aa).
Possessing two different forms (alleles) of a specific gene
(eg., Aa or Bb)
Haploid:
a single set of chromosomes (half of the full set of genetic
material). In humans, the haploid number of chromosomes is 23.
Diploid:
A full set of genetic material, consisting of paired chromosomes - one chromosome from each parental set. Most animal cells except the gametes have a diploid set of chromosomes. The diploid human genome has 46 chromosomes.
Gamate:
A sex cell. A sperm cell in
males, an egg in females.
A person who carries the potential
for a disease that may be passed on to others.
The state of being heterozygous where two forms of the same gene are
present (eg., Aa, Bb)
A family tree diagram that shows how a particular genetic
trait or disease has been inherited through many generations of a family
Sex-Linked:
Inheritance of a gene carried on a sex chromosome
Phenotype:
The observable traits or characteristics of an organism, for
example hair color, weight, or the presence or absence of a disease.
The genetic characteristics of a cell or organism. Often
used to refer to the combination of the
alleles on a particular chromosome.
Allele:
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene; for example,
one allele of the gene for eye color codes for blue eyes, while another allele
codes for brown eyes.
Zygote:
The cell resulting from the fusion of the male and female
(haploid) gametes; the fertilised ovum.
Incomplete Dominance:
A situation where neither gene dominates the other and both
exercise an influence on the individual.
In this situation, a red flower crossed with a white one might result in
a pink flower.
Codominance:
The situation in which two different alleles for a
trait are expressed unblended in the phenotype of heterozygous individuals, in
other words, both traits are expressed in some ways.