Genetic information official content key terms

Polypeptide

A polypeptide is a chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, which folds into a functional protein.

Transcription

Transcription is the process by which the genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.

Proteome

The entire set of proteins that can be expressed by the genetic material of an organism.

Histone

A type of protein that DNA wraps around to form nucleosomes, aiding in the packaging of DNA into chromosomes.

Nucleosome

The fundamental unit of chromatin, consisting of a segment of DNA wound around a core of histone proteins.

Nucleoid

The region in a prokaryotic cell where the circular DNA is located, not enclosed by a membrane.

Mitochondrial DNA

The circular DNA found in mitochondria, inherited maternally and distinct from nuclear DNA.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or signals the termination of protein synthesis.

Degeneracy

The property of the genetic code whereby multiple codons can code for the same amino acid.

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.

Spliceosome

A complex of proteins and RNA that removes introns from pre-mRNA and joins exons together.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to a specific codon in mRNA.

Peptide bond

The covalent bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.

Transcription

The process by which the genetic information in DNA is copied into mRNA.

Translation

The process by which the sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is decoded to produce a specific polypeptide chain.

Mutation

A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA, which can lead to variations in traits.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein or set of proteins.

Non-disjunction

The failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division, particularly during meiosis.

Aneuploidy

A condition in which the number of chromosomes is not an exact multiple of the haploid number, often resulting from non-disjunction.

Haploid

A cell that contains one complete set of chromosomes, half the number of chromosomes found in diploid cells.

Genetic diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, which contributes to variation among individuals.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which can result from mutations, independent segregation, crossing over, and random fertilization.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, creating four genetically diverse gametes.

Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, which contributes to variation within a population.

Independent Assortment

The process during meiosis where chromosomes are distributed randomly into gametes, leading to genetic variation.

Allele

An alternative form of a gene that arises by mutation and is found at the same place on a chromosome.

Genetic diversity

The total number of different alleles in a population, contributing to the genetic variation within that population.

Allele

An allele is a variant form of a gene that can result in different traits or phenotypes in an organism.

Mutation

A mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that can lead to the formation of new alleles.