alternative RNA splicing-a process in eukaryotes where a single gene creates multiple proteins by combining different sections of RNA; Codon: A group of 3 RNA nucleotides that tell... alternative RNA splicing-a process in eukaryotes where a single gene creates multiple proteins by combining different sections of RNA; Codon: A group of 3 RNA nucleotides that tells the cell which amino acid to add during protein creation; Deoxyribose: A sugar found in DNA that has one less oxygen atom compared to ribose, helping form DNA's structure; DNA ligase: An enzyme that helps glue together pieces of DNA; DNA polymerase: An enzyme that builds a new strand of DNA by matching it to an existing template strand; double helix: the spiral shape of DNA molecule; epigenetic: Changes that affect gene activity without altering DNA itself; exon: the part or RNA that remains after splicing and codes for proteins; gene expression: the process that controls whether a gene is used; genetic code: the rules by which codons in mRNA correspond to amino acids; helicase: an enzyme that unwinds DNA for replication; Intron: Non-coding RNA sequences removed during splicing; Lagging strand: The DNA strand replicated in short fragments; Leading strand: The DNA strand replicated continuously; Mismatch repair: A DNA repair process that fixes base-pairing errors; mRNA: RNA that carries the instructions to make proteins; mutation: a permanent change in the DNA sequence; nitrogenous base: a component of DNA and RNA that includes A, T, C, G or U; nontemplate strand: the DNA strand not used to make RNA; it matches the RNA sequence; Nucleotide excision pair: a process that removes damaged DNA and replaces it; Okazaki fragments: Short DNA fragments on the lagging strand; Phosphate group: A molecule made of phosphorus and oxygen, part of DNA's backbone; post-transcriptional: gene regulation after RNA is made but before it's used to make protein; post-translational: gene regulation after a protein is made; primer: a short RNA sequence needed to start DNA replication; promoter: a DNA sequence where RNA polymerase binds to start transcription; replication fork: the Y-shaped area where DNA is being copied; RNA polymerase: An enzyme that makes RNA from a DNA template; rRNA: RNA that helps form ribosomes, where proteins are made; Semiconservative replication: DNA replication where each new molecule has one old and one new strand; splicing: removing introns and connecting exons in RNA; start codon: the first codon in mRNA that starts protein synthesis (usually AUG); stop codon: a codon that signals the end of protein synthesis (there are 3); telomerase: an enzyme that maintains the ends of chromosomes (telomeres); telomere: the end of a chromosome; template strand: the DNA strand used to make RNA; transcription bubble: the area where DNA is unwound for RNA to be made; tRNA: RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Read more