DNA Vocab

1. Bioethics

1.1. Decision making process related to biological issues

1.1.1. ex: a law was passed limiting the use of stem cell research

2. Amino Acid

2.1. biologically important organic compounds composed of amine and carboxylic acid functional groups, along with a side-chain specific to each amino acid

2.1.1. ex: glycine, valine, and tyrosine

3. Protein

3.1. large biological molecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues

3.1.1. ex: fibrous, globular, and membrane

4. RNA

4.1. ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells

4.1.1. ex: mRNA, tRNA, ribosomal RNA

5. Transcription

5.1. The process by which genetic information represented by a sequence of DNA nucleotides is copied into newly synthesized molecules of RNA, with the DNA serving as a template

5.1.1. ex: prokaryotes, most notably in the bacterium E. coli

6. Translation

6.1. the process by which a sequence of nucleotide triplets in a messenger RNA molecule gives rise to a specific sequence of amino acids during synthesis of a polypeptide or protein

6.1.1. ex: alanine transfer RNA from yeast

7. Replication

7.1. The cell process which makes copies of DNA

7.1.1. ex: occurs before a cell can divide

8. Gene

8.1. A sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and determines a trait

8.1.1. ex: the ability to roll your tongue

9. Genetic Engineering

9.1. Man-made changes in the DNA code of living organisms

9.1.1. ex: a gene to make human insulin was inserted into a pig's DNA

10. Mutation

10.1. A change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

10.1.1. ex: a never before seen blue iris that appeared in a garden

11. DNA

11.1. The molecule that carries codes for living things

11.1.1. ex: found in the nucleus, has a double helix shape

12. Virus

12.1. an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat

12.1.1. ex: the common cold