Amino Acid

Molecule that makes up proteins; composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and
sometimes sulfur.

Base Pairing Rules

In DNA: cytosine pairs with guanine and adenine pairs with thymine
In RNA: adenine pairs with uracil and cytosine pairs with guanine

central dogma
DNA -> RNA -> Protein

Codon
Sequence of three nucleotides that codes for one amino acid.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)*

Molecule that stores genetic information in all organisms.

DNA Polymerase
Enzyme that builds a polymer, in this case it builds a complementary strand of DNA during
replication

Double Helix
Model that compares the structure of a DNA molecule, in which two strands wind around one
another, to that of a twisted ladder.

frameshift mutation
insertion or deletion of a nucleotide in the DNA sequence

mRNA (messenger RNA)

Form of RNA that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it serves
as a template for protein synthesis.

mutagen
A chemical or physical agent in the environment with DNA and causes a mutation.

mutation
A change in the organisms DNA

Nucleotide
Monomer that forms DNA and has a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogen-containing base.

point mutation
mutation that affects a single nucleotide, usually by substituting one nucleotide for another

Protein

Polymer composed of amino acid monomers linked

by peptide bonds, folds into a particular structure,
function of polymer is determined by structure.

Replication*
Process by which DNA is copied.

Ribosome
Organelle that links amino acids together to form proteins.

RNA polymerase
Enzyme similar to DNA polymerase that binds to DNA and separates the DNA strands during
TRANSCRIPTION in order to build a strand of RNA

Start Codon
The codon that codes for the start of protein synthesis

Stop Codon
A codon that stops the synthesis of a protein molecule.

Transcription*
Process of copying a nucleotide sequence in DNA to form a complementary strand of mRNA.

Translation*
Process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced.

tRNA (transfer RNA)

Form of RNA that brings amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis.