Biology Chapter: DNA and Protein Synthesis

Nucleotides

• Building blocks of DNA
• Consist of sugar, phosphate, and a base

Genes

• Sections of DNA
• Code for proteins

Transcription

• Process of creating an RNA copy of a gene

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

• Similar to DNA
• Structure based on information in a gene

Translation

• Converts the DNA code into a protein

Codon

• Three nucleotides in mRNA that code for an amino acid

Amino Acid

• Building blocks of proteins
• About 20 different types

Anticodon

• Three nucleotides in tRNA
• Matches a codon on mRNA

Protein Synthesis

• Building a protein by bonding amino acids

Engineered Systems

• Group of parts designed to work together
• Irreducible complexity: removing one part stops the entire system

Cell Cycle

• Process of cell growth and reproduction

Interphase

• Portion of the cell cycle
• Cell grows and performs normal functions

Replication

• DNA copying process

Mitosis

• Ensures each daughter cell has the same number and kinds of genes as the parent cell
• Part of the cell cycle

Cytokinesis

• Final stage of cell cycle
• Parent cell divides, giving each new daughter cell cytoplasm

Asexual Reproduction

• Reproduction without gametes

Gamete

• Sperm or egg cell

Sexual Reproduction

• Sperm unites with egg to form a zygote

Meiosis

• Reduces the amount of DNA in sperm or egg cells by half

Homologous Chromosomes

• Matching pairs of chromosomes in a diploid cell

Fertilization

• Joining of gametes to form a diploid cell

Zygote

• Diploid cell resulting from fertilization

Nucleotide

• A nucleotide is a subunit of DNA, made up of a sugar, phosphate, and a base.

Gene

• A section of DNA that codes for a unique protein.

Transcription

• The process cells use to create RNA copies of a gene.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

• A type of nucleic acid, similar to DNA. It's structure is based on the information of a gene.

Translation

• The process of converting the DNA code into a protein.

Codon

• A group of three nucleotides in a strand of mRNA that codes for one specific amino acid.

Amino Acid

• One of approximately 20 molecules used to build proteins.

Anticodon

• A set of three nucleotides in tRNA that match a codon on mRNA.

Protein Synthesis

• The process of building a protein by bonding amino acids together.

Engineered System

• A group of things, planned, designed, and built to work together with a specific function.

Irreducible Complexity

• Removing one part of an engineered system, causes the entire system to cease function.

Cell Cycle

• The process of cellular growth and reproduction.

Interphase

• The part of the cell cycle where a cell grows and carries out normal functions.

Replication

• The DNA-copying process.

Mitosis

• The process of the cell cycle that ensures each new daughter cell produced has the same number and kinds of genes as the original parent cell.

Cytokinesis

• The final stage of the cell cycle during which the parent cell pinches to give each new daughter cell some cytoplasm.

Asexual Reproduction

• Reproduction that does not involve gametes.

Gamete

• A sperm cell or an egg cell.

Sexual Reproduction

• A type of reproduction in which a sperm unites with an egg to form a zygote.

Meiosis

• The process that reduces the amount of DNA present in each sperm or egg cell by half.

Homologous Chromosomes

• Matching pairs of chromosomes in a diploid cell.

Fertilization

• The joining of gametes to form a diploid cell.

Zygote

• The diploid cell that results from fertilization.