Biology Vocabulary Words
Biology Vocabulary Words
Protein
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.
Amino Acid
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.
Ribosome
Cellular
organelle that is the site of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm
Codon
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.
Transcription
The
process of copying information from DNA into new strands of messenger RNA
(mRNA), which then carries the information to the cytoplasm
Translation
The
process of turning instructions from mRNA, codon by codon, into chains of amino
acids that then fold into proteins.
RNA
A
chemical cousin of DNA. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is responsible for translating
the genetic code of DNA into proteins.
Messenger RNA or “mRNA”
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 (tRNA)
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.
Gene
A
unit of DNA that determines and transmits hereditary characteristics from
parent to offspring.
Spermatogenesis
The
process of producing sperm, the male reproductive cells.
Oogenesis
The
process of egg formation.
Progeny
The
offspring from sexual reproduction.
Protein Synthesis
The
process in which the genetic code carried by messenger RNA directs cellular
organelles called ribosomes to produce proteins from amino acids
Heredity
The
handing down of certain traits from parents to their offspring. The process of
heredity occurs through the genes.
Dominant
A
gene that almost always results in a specific characteristic, even when the
person’s genome only contains one copy
Recessive
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.
Homozygous
Having
two identical forms (alleles) of a particular gene (eg AA, aa).
Heterozygous
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.
Carrier
A
person who carries the potential for a disease that may be passed on to others.
Hybrid
The
state of being heterozygous where two forms of the same gene are present (eg.,
Aa, Bb)
Pedigree
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.
Genotype:
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.
0 comments: