Biology Chapter 8 by Roula

Nucleotides

Monomers making up DNA, each containing a phosphate group, deoxyribose, and a nitrogen-containing base.

Central Dogma

Information flowing in one direction, from DNA to RNA to proteins.

Genetic Code

Matches each mRNA codon with its amino acid or function.

Large Subunit

The upper half of the ribosome that binds to tRNA.

Avery's Experiments

Through Qualitative tests, Chemical Analysis, and Enzyme tests found that DNA is the transforming principle.

Ribosomes

A combination of rRNA and proteins that catalyze the reaction forming bonds between amino acids. Contains a large and small subunit.

DNA Polymerase

A group of enzymes that bonds new nucleotides together after being "unzipped" by other enzymes. Also works as a proofreading function that detects errors and corrects them.

Anticodon

A set of three nucleotides that is complementary to an mRNA codon. (Ex: CCC pairs with the mRNA codon GGG).

Stop Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence signaling for the end of the amino acid chain.

Start Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence signaling the start of translation with the amino acid: methionine.

Codon

A three-nucleotide sequence that codes for an amino acid.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that takes over bacterium's genetic machinery and directs it to make more viruses.

Four Pairing Bases

AT CG ( Action Toys.....Cats Growl)

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

An intermediate message that is translated to form a protein.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Brings amino acids from the cytoplasm to a ribosome to help make the growing protein.

RNA Polymerase

Enzymes that bond nucleotides together in a chain to make a new RNA molecule. Composed of many proteins that play a variety of roles in the transcription process.

Transforming Principle

Found in Griffith's S&R bacteria experiments, changed harmless heat killed bacteria and harmless live bacteria into harmful bacteria.

Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase

Found that DNA tagged bacteriophages spread the virus, whereas Protein tagged bacteriophages did not. Therefore the genetic material is DNA, not protein.

James Watson and Francis Crick

Through their experiments, these two found the double helix formation of DNA, A pairing with T, and C pairing with G.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a chain of nucleotides, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. A temporary copy of DNA. Base pairs A, C, G, and U. Not all of these molecules code for proteins.

Pyrimidines and Purines

Single Ring (T and C, think pie)...Double Ring (A and G)

Double Helix

The backbone is the phosphate groups and deoxyribose, the rungs are nitrogen containing bases forming hydrogen bonds.

Small Subunit

The lower half of the ribosome that binds to mRNA.

DNA Replication

The process in which DNA is copied during the cell cycle (S Phase). Each cell has a complete set of identical gene information, using the template as a guide. Happens in the nucleus.

Translation

The process of converting, or translation, an mRNA message into a polypeptide. Takes place in the cytoplasm and ultimately produces protein.

Transcription

The process of copying a sequence of DNA to produce a complementary strand of RNA, where a gene, not an entire chromosome, is transferred into an RNA message. Takes place in the nucleus.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

forms part of ribosomes, a cell's protein factories.