Genetics Chapter on Mutations & Biotechnology

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Organisms with membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus.

The process of determining the sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

The application of biological techniques to create useful products.

The deliberate manipulation of genes for various purposes, such as creating new drugs or crops.

A condition where the body cannot break down alkapton, leading to a build-up that causes the urine to turn black when exposed to air.

A hypothesis that a single gene is responsible for coding for a single enzyme.

Simple organisms that could grow on minimal media containing only a few basic substances.

Changes in DNA sequence brought about by X-ray exposure in Beadle & Tatum's experiments.

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA and then to protein; it encompasses two major steps: transcription and translation.

The process by which genetic information encoded in DNA is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.

The process by which the genetic code in mRNA is translated into a sequence of amino acids, forming a protein.

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to a codon in mRNA.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes, where protein synthesis takes place.

A codon consists of three consecutive nucleotide bases within mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid in a polypeptide chain. For example, the codon AUG codes for the amino acid methionine. Multiple codons can code for the same amino acid, providing redundancy in the genetic code.

The start codon is the first codon in an mRNA sequence, typically AUG, which signals the beginning of translation and specifies the amino acid methionine. It signifies the start of protein synthesis.

A stop codon marks the end of protein synthesis. It signals the ribosome to stop translating the mRNA sequence, terminating the polypeptide chain.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA molecule that carries specific amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis. It has an anticodon loop containing three bases complementary to the mRNA codon, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the polypeptide chain.

The anticodon region of a tRNA molecule is a sequence of three nucleotides that is complementary to a specific codon on mRNA. This allows the tRNA to base-pair with the mRNA, ensuring the correct amino acid is incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain.