Biology Chapter: Nucleotides and DNA Formation

The basic building blocks of nucleic acids, like DNA and RNA.

A five-carbon sugar found in DNA, lacking an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon.

Adenine (A) and Guanine (G) are the two types, both with double-ring structures.

Cytosine (C) and Thymine (T) in DNA, and Uracil (U) in RNA, are all single-ring bases.

A chemical bond that links nucleotides together in a DNA or RNA strand.

A long chain of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, forming the backbone of DNA or RNA.

The two DNA strands run in opposite directions, with one strand's 5' end aligning with the other strand's 3' end.

Weak bonds that hold base pairs together in DNA, specifically between adenine (A) and thymine (T) and between guanine (G) and cytosine (C).

A short sequence of RNA that is complementary to the template DNA strand. It acts as a starting point for DNA polymerase to begin replication.

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA primers during DNA replication.

An enzyme that reads the template DNA strand and adds complementary nucleotides to create a new DNA strand.

The process of adding nucleotides to a new DNA strand during replication.

A process where DNA polymerase checks for errors in the new DNA strand and corrects them.

The direction in which DNA polymerase adds nucleotides, from the 5th carbon of the sugar molecule to the 3rd carbon.

The strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously during replication.

The strand of DNA that is synthesized in short fragments, called Okazaki fragments.

Short fragments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand.

An enzyme that removes RNA primers from the lagging strand.

An enzyme that fills in the gaps left by removed RNA primers with DNA nucleotides.

An enzyme that joins the Okazaki fragments together to form a complete DNA strand.

A system that scans newly synthesized DNA strands for mistakes and corrects them.

The loss of a purine base (Adenine or Guanine) from DNA

The removal of an amino group (NH3) from a nitrogenous base in DNA.

A type of DNA damage where two adjacent thymine bases bond together, typically caused by UV radiation.

The two nitrogenous bases Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) form two hydrogen bonds with each other. This is a crucial part of DNA structure and ensures proper base pairing during replication.

The two nitrogenous bases Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G) form three hydrogen bonds with each other. This is a crucial part of DNA structure and ensures proper base pairing during replication.

The specific pairing of nitrogenous bases in DNA, where adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T) and cytosine (C) always pairs with guanine (G). This ensures the correct sequence of bases is maintained during replication and transcription.

A highly condensed DNA molecule that contains genetic information. In humans, there are 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.

Chromosomes that are not involved in determining sex. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.

Chromosomes that determine an individual's sex. In humans, there is one pair, either XX (female) or XY (male).

Two versions of the same chromosome, one from each parent. These chromosomes have the same gene loci, but may have different alleles.

A specific length of DNA that codes for an RNA strand. Genes are the fundamental units of heredity.

The process by which ribosomes translate RNA into a protein sequence.

RNA molecules that do not code for proteins and have various roles in cellular processes.

Regions within a gene that are transcribed but not translated into protein. These regions are removed from the final mRNA transcript.

Regions within a gene that regulate gene expression. These can be promoter or enhancer regions.

Repetitive sequences of DNA that are non-protein coding but have specific functions. These include centromeres, telomeres, and replication origins.

The constricted region of a chromosome where spindle fibers attach during cell division.

The protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that prevent DNA degradation and ensure complete replication. They shorten with every cell division.

The specific sites on DNA where DNA replication begins.