DNA and Chromosome Structure
Chromosomes
Tightly wound DNA
Chromatin
Uncoiled DNA
Nucleotide
building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), made of 3 parts: sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base
DNA
molecule that stores genetic information in all organisms and the directions to make proteins; 2-stranded;
Backbone of DNA
phosphate groups and deoxyribose sugars
Inherited
A characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring.
Protein
Amino acids are building blocks; made from directions in DNA
Histone
Proteins that the DNA is wrapped around (when it is a chromosome)
Gene
a set of directions for building a specific protein
Thymine (T)
a nitrogen base, always pairs with adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
a nitrogen base, always pairs with cytosine (C)
Cytosine (C)
a nitrogen base, always pairs with guanine (G)
Adenine (A)
a nitrogen base, always pairs with thymine (T)
Traits
combination of characteristics, from our inherited genes AND the environment
Base pairing
hydrogen bonds only form between A & T and between G & C
Genetic code
the sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA
Complimentary strand
the strand of DNA made during replication
Hydrogen bonds
weak bonds that hold nitrogen bases together in DNA; allows DNA to be copied
