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What is the non-abbreviated name for DNA?
deoxyribonucleic acid
What are genes?
Genes are segments of DNA that contain the genetic information to create proteins, which are the processes that make up our entire body. Genes are determined by their base sequences (A, T, G, C).
What is RNA?
RNA is a molecule similar to DNA that helps carry out the instructions stored in DNA.
What is the structure of a nucleotide?
A nucleotide is made up of three parts:
1. a phosphate group
2. a sugar molecule
3. a nitrogen base (A, T, G, or C)
Why is the DNA structure called the "double helix?"
It is called the double helix because it has 2 strands of nucleotides on either side of the structure, linked by bases in between and it is a helix (twisted shape), forming the shape of a twisted ladder.
What is DNA made of?
nucleotides
What are alleles?
Alleles are different versions of the same gene. They cause variations in traits (ex: a gene for eye color might have a blue allele and a brown allele, leading to different eye colors depending on which allele you inherit.)
What is a codon?
A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA, coding for one amino acid in the process of protein synthesis. The ribosome reads the information from the mRNA in codons and produces specific amino acids based on the sequence.
What is the base pairing rule?
What is the process of DNA replication?
During DNA replication, the DNA splits down the middle and each half of a strand serves as a template for building a new complementary strand, creating two identical DNA molecules.
What is DNA?
DNA is a molecule in the shape of a double helix, carrying the genetic instructions used to build and operate all living organisms
What are proteins?
Proteins are large, complex molecules made by a sequence of amino acids. They perform a huge amount of processes in an organism and are created by the ribosome after reading the genetic instruction for it.
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are small molecules that serve as basic building blocks for proteins, created from the specific sequence of codons.
What are the non-abbreviated names for the four bases that make up DNA?
A: adenine
T: thymine
G: guanine
C: cytosine
How does mRNA copy DNA sequence for protein synthesis?
What is a cell?
A cell is the smallest unit of life, making up all living organisms. In the nucleus of a cell, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, all containing genetic information.
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are a type of protein that act as biological catalysts, serving to speed up chemical reactions in the body. They are also created from the genetic instructions in DNA, as they are proteins.
What are nucleotides?
Nucleotides are basic building blocks for DNA and RNA. Nucleotides are made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar molecule, and a nitrogen base.
What is the backbone alternating rule?
The backbone alternating rule says that the backbone of DNA is always created by alternating phosphate and sugar molecules. The base part of a nucleotide always starts forming after the sugar molecule.
What makes DNA in humans different?
99.9% of all genes are the same in humans, with the 0.1% being other traits that can easily set us apart. The different sequences and lengths in our DNA strands result in different traits and genes, making us look different from each other. There are nearly infinite possibilities to different types of genes.
What are chromosomes?
Chromosomes are long, threadlike structures of DNA that are tightly coiled around proteins. There are 23 pairs (46 in total) of chromosomes per cell, and they contain all the genetic information in an organism's body. They are located in the nucleus of a cell. There are only 23 chromosomes (1/2 the normal amount) in sperm cells.
What is the non-abbreviated name for RNA?
ribonucleic acid
What is the ribosome?
How many hydrogen bonds form in between A & T, and G & C?
A and T form 2 hydrogen bonds between them.
G and C form 3 hydrogen bonds between them.
How are genes inherited during reproduction?
Genes are located in chromosomes, and chromosomes are located in cells. During reproduction, one male sperm cell (containing 23 chromosomes) fuges with the female egg (also containing 23 chromosomes). This gives the offspring a full set of chromosomes, 23 from each parent. The 23 chromosomes from each parent differ in genes, as they are from different people. This is how genes are inherited by offspring during reproduction.