Glossary
agarose: the gel-forming polysaccharide found in some types of seaweed that is used to form a gel mesh-work for electrophoresis
allolactose: the breakdown product of lactose that has an effect in the lac operon
amino acid: one unit of a polypeptide chain that is composed up of a carboxylic acid, an amino group and a side group (often referred to as R-group) that differentiates it from other amino acids
aminoacyl-tRNA: tRNA molecule with its corresponding amino acid attached to its acceptor site at the 3’ end
aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase: enzymes that are responsible for adding the amino acid to the tRNA (each enzyme is specific for a particular amino acid)
amylopectin: a soluble polysaccharide and highly branched polymer of glucose found in plants. It is one of the two components of starch, the other being amylose.
anabolic reaction: reactions in which simpler substances are combined to form more complex molecules. They usually require energy to build new molecules and/or store energy.
Anaerobic respiration: the form of cellular respiration that occurs when there is a lack of oxygen or no oxygen at all
anneal: the pairing of complementary strands of DNA through hydrogen bonding
antiparallel: parallel but running in opposite directions; the 5' end of one strand of DNA aligns with the 3' end of the other strand in a double helix
allolactose: the breakdown product of lactose that has an effect in the lac operon
amino acid: one unit of a polypeptide chain that is composed up of a carboxylic acid, an amino group and a side group (often referred to as R-group) that differentiates it from other amino acids
aminoacyl-tRNA: tRNA molecule with its corresponding amino acid attached to its acceptor site at the 3’ end
aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase: enzymes that are responsible for adding the amino acid to the tRNA (each enzyme is specific for a particular amino acid)
amylopectin: a soluble polysaccharide and highly branched polymer of glucose found in plants. It is one of the two components of starch, the other being amylose.
anabolic reaction: reactions in which simpler substances are combined to form more complex molecules. They usually require energy to build new molecules and/or store energy.
Anaerobic respiration: the form of cellular respiration that occurs when there is a lack of oxygen or no oxygen at all
anneal: the pairing of complementary strands of DNA through hydrogen bonding
antiparallel: parallel but running in opposite directions; the 5' end of one strand of DNA aligns with the 3' end of the other strand in a double helix
bacteriophage: any bacteria-infecting virus
blunt ends: the fragment ends of a DNA molecule that are fully base paired, resulting from cleavage by a restriction enzyme
bonding capacity: the maximum number of bonds an element can have
blunt ends: the fragment ends of a DNA molecule that are fully base paired, resulting from cleavage by a restriction enzyme
bonding capacity: the maximum number of bonds an element can have
Cambrian explosion: an evolutionary event that occurred 542 million years ago during which most major animal phyla appeared, as indicated by the fossil record
catabolic reaction: is the set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units that are either oxidized to release energy, or used in other anabolic reactions. Catabolism breaks down large molecules (such as polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins) into smaller units (such as monosaccharides, fatty acids, nucleotides, and amino acids, respectively).
carbohydrate: a biological molecule consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms, usually with a hydrogen–oxygen atom ratio of 2:1. They are the most important source of energy for your body.
carrying capacity: the maximum number of organisms that can be sustained by available resources in a given area for a given length of time.
chromatin - a complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
Cellular respiration: A series of metabolic process that occurs within cells to harvest energy from organic matter such as glucose and to store the energy as ATP.
cellulose: an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants.
central dogma: process explaining the use of mRNA as an intermediate substance in the process of protein synthesis
central nervous system (CNS): the body’s coordinating centre for mechanical and chemical actions; made up of the brain and spinal cord
cerebral cortex: the outermost layer of the cerebral hemispheres
cerebrospinal fluid: circulating fluid that surrounds the membranes of the brain and spinal cord; provides neural connection to the endocrine system
chemical potential energy: the attraction of electrons to protons in a chemical bond
cloned: a fragment of DNA that has been introduced into a foreign cell, resulting in exact copies of the original DNA fragment being made when the foreign cell replicates and divides
coding strand: single-stranded DNA sequence that is not used in the transcription process to create mRNA
codon: sequence of three bases in mRNA that serves as a code for a particular amino acid during the process of translation
complementary base pairing: pairing of the nitrogenous base of one strand of DNA with the nitrogenous base of another strand; adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C)
cytokinesis: division of cytoplasm and organelles of a cell into two daughter cells
Cytosol: The liquid component of the cytoplasm.
denaturing: a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose the quaternary structure, tertiary structure and secondary structure which is present in their native state, by application of some external stress or compound such as a strong acid or base
dendrite: a projection of cytosol that carries signals toward the nerve cell body
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): a double-stranded polymer of nucleotides (each consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and four nitrogenous bases) that carries the genetic information of an organism
deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates: molecules composed of a deoxyribose bonded to three phosphate groups and a nitrogenous base
deoxyribose sugar: sugar molecule containing five carbons that has lost the -OH (hydroxyl group) on its 2' (2 prime) carbon
DNA gyrase: the bacterial enzyme that relieves the tension produced by the unwinding of DNA during replication
DNA helicase: the enzyme that unwinds double-helical DNA by disrupting hydrogen bonds
DNA ligase: the enzyme that joins DNA fragments together by catalyzing the formation of a bond between the 3' hydroxyl group and a 5' phosphate group on the sugar-phosphate backbones
DNA polymerase I: an enzyme that removes RNA primers and replaces them with the appropriate deoxyribonucleotides during DNA replication
DNA polymerase III: the enzyme responsible for synthesizing complementary strands of DNA during DNA replication
dendrite: a projection of cytosol that carries signals toward the nerve cell body
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): a double-stranded polymer of nucleotides (each consisting of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate, and four nitrogenous bases) that carries the genetic information of an organism
deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates: molecules composed of a deoxyribose bonded to three phosphate groups and a nitrogenous base
deoxyribose sugar: sugar molecule containing five carbons that has lost the -OH (hydroxyl group) on its 2' (2 prime) carbon
DNA gyrase: the bacterial enzyme that relieves the tension produced by the unwinding of DNA during replication
DNA helicase: the enzyme that unwinds double-helical DNA by disrupting hydrogen bonds
DNA ligase: the enzyme that joins DNA fragments together by catalyzing the formation of a bond between the 3' hydroxyl group and a 5' phosphate group on the sugar-phosphate backbones
DNA polymerase I: an enzyme that removes RNA primers and replaces them with the appropriate deoxyribonucleotides during DNA replication
DNA polymerase III: the enzyme responsible for synthesizing complementary strands of DNA during DNA replication
ectotherms: animals that maintain its body temperature by absorbing thermal energy from the environment
effector: components of an homeostatic system that act to return the system to its optimal state
electromagnetic radiation: radiant energy released by electromagnetic processes
energy: the ability to do work, or produce change
endotherms: animals that maintain its body temperature by internal mechanisms
endothermic reactions: energy is absorbed by the products
enthalpy: a measure of energy in a thermodynamic system
entropy: a measure of the randomness or disorder in a collection of objects or energy
epidermis: the outer layer of cells covering an organism
epigenetics: the study of genetics, focusing on a change in phenotype without a change in genotype
eukaryote: an organism whos cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
excretion: the elimination of waste products and foreign matters from the body
exon: segments of DNA that code for part of a specific protein
exonuclease: an enzyme that cuts out nucleotides at the end of a DNA strand
exothermic reaction: chemical reaction that releases energy by light or heat
effector: components of an homeostatic system that act to return the system to its optimal state
electromagnetic radiation: radiant energy released by electromagnetic processes
energy: the ability to do work, or produce change
endotherms: animals that maintain its body temperature by internal mechanisms
endothermic reactions: energy is absorbed by the products
enthalpy: a measure of energy in a thermodynamic system
entropy: a measure of the randomness or disorder in a collection of objects or energy
epidermis: the outer layer of cells covering an organism
epigenetics: the study of genetics, focusing on a change in phenotype without a change in genotype
eukaryote: an organism whos cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
excretion: the elimination of waste products and foreign matters from the body
exon: segments of DNA that code for part of a specific protein
exonuclease: an enzyme that cuts out nucleotides at the end of a DNA strand
exothermic reaction: chemical reaction that releases energy by light or heat
Fermentation: An anaerobic process which causes organic foods to become simple compounds to harvest and store energy as ATP.
first law of thermodynamics: energy is constant: it cannot be created or destroyed - only converted from one form into another
fructose: (fruit sugar) is a simple ketonic monosaccharide found in many plants
functional group: Specific groups (moieties) of atoms or bonds within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.
first law of thermodynamics: energy is constant: it cannot be created or destroyed - only converted from one form into another
fructose: (fruit sugar) is a simple ketonic monosaccharide found in many plants
functional group: Specific groups (moieties) of atoms or bonds within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.
galactose: a monosaccharide sugar that is less sweet than glucose and fructose. It is a C-4 epimer of glucose.
gene expression: the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.
gel electrophoresis: The separation of charged molecules on the basis of size by sorting through a gel mesh-work
gibbs free energy: energy that can do useful work
glucose: a sugar with the molecular formula C6H12O6.
glycogen: a multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in animals and fungi. The polysaccharide structure represents the main storage form of glucose in the body.
glycosyl bond: a bond between a sugar and another organic molecule by way of an intervening nitrogen or oxygen atom
Glycolysis: The initial metabolic reaction of cellular respiration that occurs in ‘the cytosol of the cell to create pyruvate molecules from glucose.
gravitational potential energy: the attraction between two objects
guard cells: specialised cells found on the plant leaf epidermis to control gas exchange
gene expression: the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.
gel electrophoresis: The separation of charged molecules on the basis of size by sorting through a gel mesh-work
gibbs free energy: energy that can do useful work
glucose: a sugar with the molecular formula C6H12O6.
glycogen: a multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in animals and fungi. The polysaccharide structure represents the main storage form of glucose in the body.
glycosyl bond: a bond between a sugar and another organic molecule by way of an intervening nitrogen or oxygen atom
Glycolysis: The initial metabolic reaction of cellular respiration that occurs in ‘the cytosol of the cell to create pyruvate molecules from glucose.
gravitational potential energy: the attraction between two objects
guard cells: specialised cells found on the plant leaf epidermis to control gas exchange
habitat: the place where an organism or species normally lives
histones: highly alkaline proteins found in eukaryotic cell nuclei that package and order the DNA into structural units called nucleosomes.
hereditary: information which is genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring
homeostasis: variables are regulated so that internal conditions remain stable and relatively constant.
homeotherms: animals that maintain a stable body temperature regardless of the temperature of the external environment
hydrophobic: the physical property of a molecule (known as a hydrophobe) that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water. In stricter teams there is no attraction between such molecule and water.
histones: highly alkaline proteins found in eukaryotic cell nuclei that package and order the DNA into structural units called nucleosomes.
hereditary: information which is genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring
homeostasis: variables are regulated so that internal conditions remain stable and relatively constant.
homeotherms: animals that maintain a stable body temperature regardless of the temperature of the external environment
hydrophobic: the physical property of a molecule (known as a hydrophobe) that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water. In stricter teams there is no attraction between such molecule and water.
integrator: a part of a homeostatic feedbacksystem that compares existing conditions with ideal conditions
intron: non-coding regions of a gene
isotope: different atoms of the same element containing the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
intron: non-coding regions of a gene
isotope: different atoms of the same element containing the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
K
kinetic energy: energy possessed by a moving object
krebs cycle: A cycle of metabolic reactions within cellular respiration that occurs within the mitochondria to harvest and store energy as ATP.
krebs cycle: A cycle of metabolic reactions within cellular respiration that occurs within the mitochondria to harvest and store energy as ATP.
lactose: a disaccharide sugar derived from galactose and glucose that is found in milk
lagging strand: the new strand of DNA that is synthesized in short fragments, which are later joined together
leading strand: the new strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously during DNA replication
lagging strand: the new strand of DNA that is synthesized in short fragments, which are later joined together
leading strand: the new strand of DNA that is synthesized continuously during DNA replication
maltose: a disaccharide formed from two units of glucose joined with an α(1→4) bond, formed from a condensation reaction
messenger RNA (mRNA): a form of RNA that is the end product of transcription of a gene and is translated by ribosomes to create proteins
metabolism: the sum of all anabolic and catabolic processes in a cell or organism
Metabolite: Any substance produced through metabolic processes.
methylases: enzymes that add a methyl group to one of the nucleotides found in a restriction endonuclease recognition site,
altering its chemical composition
mitosis: division of the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell into two daughter nuclei with identical sets of chromosomes
mRNA transcript: mRNA that has been modified and is ready to leave the nucleus
myelin sheath: an insulated covering over the axon of a nerve cell
messenger RNA (mRNA): a form of RNA that is the end product of transcription of a gene and is translated by ribosomes to create proteins
metabolism: the sum of all anabolic and catabolic processes in a cell or organism
Metabolite: Any substance produced through metabolic processes.
methylases: enzymes that add a methyl group to one of the nucleotides found in a restriction endonuclease recognition site,
altering its chemical composition
mitosis: division of the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell into two daughter nuclei with identical sets of chromosomes
mRNA transcript: mRNA that has been modified and is ready to leave the nucleus
myelin sheath: an insulated covering over the axon of a nerve cell
negative feedback: the reduction of an effect by its own influence on the process that gives rise to it.
neuron: a nerve cell that is capable of conducting nerve impulses
nitrogenous base: an alkaline, cyclic molecule containing nitrogen
nm: nanometer, the equivalent of 10 to the power of -9.
node of ranvier: a regularly occurring gap between sections of myelin sheath along the axon
non-spontaneous reaction: will only occur with the net input of energy
nucleotides: molecules that consist of a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) with a nitrogenous base attached to their 1' carbon and a phosphate group attached to their 4' carbon
nutrigenomics: the study of how food interacts with gene expression
neuron: a nerve cell that is capable of conducting nerve impulses
nitrogenous base: an alkaline, cyclic molecule containing nitrogen
nm: nanometer, the equivalent of 10 to the power of -9.
node of ranvier: a regularly occurring gap between sections of myelin sheath along the axon
non-spontaneous reaction: will only occur with the net input of energy
nucleotides: molecules that consist of a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) with a nitrogenous base attached to their 1' carbon and a phosphate group attached to their 4' carbon
nutrigenomics: the study of how food interacts with gene expression
Okazaki fragments: short fragments of DNA that are a result of the synthesis of the lagging strand during DNA replication
operator: a segment of DNA to which a transcription factor binds to regulate gene expression.
osmoregulation: the process of actively regulating the osmotic pressure of bodily fluids and cells
operator: a segment of DNA to which a transcription factor binds to regulate gene expression.
osmoregulation: the process of actively regulating the osmotic pressure of bodily fluids and cells
palisade mesophyll: located right below the epidermis in leaf tissue; contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis
peripheral nervous system (PNS): all parts of the nervous system, excluding the brain and spinal cord; relays information between the central nervous system and other parts of the body
peptide bond: a chemical bond formed between two molecules when the carboxyl group of one molecule reacts with the amino group of the other molecule, releasing a molecule of water (H2O). Usually occurs between two amino acids.
phosphate group: group of four oxygen atoms surrounding a central phosphorus atom found in the backbone of DNA
phosphodiester bond: the linkage between the 3' carbon atom of one sugar molecule and the 5' carbon atom of another, deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA.
phospholipid: consist of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group that is modified by an alcohol. The phosphate group is the negatively-charged polar head, which is hydrophilic. The fatty acid chains are the uncharged, nonpolar tails, which are hydrophobic.
photon: elementary particle that carries energy from the sun
poikilotherms: animals whose body temperature varies with, and often matches, the temperature of the external environment
population density: The number of individuals of the same species that occur per unit area or volume
porphyrin ring: organic ring structure surrounding a magnesium ion that absorbs photons from the sun
positive feedback: the enhancement or amplification of an effect by its own influence on the process that gives rise to it.
potential energy: energy stored by virture of an object's position within an attractive or repulsive force field.
primase: the enzyme that builds RNA primers
prokaryote: a single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and any other membrane-bound organelle
promoter region: is a segment of DNA located upstream to the gene that is being transcribed and typically consists of a characteristic base pair pattern that is high in adenine and thymine bases
protein: complex molecules composed of one or more polypeptide chains that are folded into a specific three-dimensional shape that determines its function
plasmids: small circular pieces of DNA that can exit and enter bacterial cells
Pyruvate oxidation: The creation of acetyl CoA during cellular respiration from pyruvate molecules made from glycolysis
peripheral nervous system (PNS): all parts of the nervous system, excluding the brain and spinal cord; relays information between the central nervous system and other parts of the body
peptide bond: a chemical bond formed between two molecules when the carboxyl group of one molecule reacts with the amino group of the other molecule, releasing a molecule of water (H2O). Usually occurs between two amino acids.
phosphate group: group of four oxygen atoms surrounding a central phosphorus atom found in the backbone of DNA
phosphodiester bond: the linkage between the 3' carbon atom of one sugar molecule and the 5' carbon atom of another, deoxyribose in DNA and ribose in RNA.
phospholipid: consist of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group that is modified by an alcohol. The phosphate group is the negatively-charged polar head, which is hydrophilic. The fatty acid chains are the uncharged, nonpolar tails, which are hydrophobic.
photon: elementary particle that carries energy from the sun
poikilotherms: animals whose body temperature varies with, and often matches, the temperature of the external environment
population density: The number of individuals of the same species that occur per unit area or volume
porphyrin ring: organic ring structure surrounding a magnesium ion that absorbs photons from the sun
positive feedback: the enhancement or amplification of an effect by its own influence on the process that gives rise to it.
potential energy: energy stored by virture of an object's position within an attractive or repulsive force field.
primase: the enzyme that builds RNA primers
prokaryote: a single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and any other membrane-bound organelle
promoter region: is a segment of DNA located upstream to the gene that is being transcribed and typically consists of a characteristic base pair pattern that is high in adenine and thymine bases
protein: complex molecules composed of one or more polypeptide chains that are folded into a specific three-dimensional shape that determines its function
plasmids: small circular pieces of DNA that can exit and enter bacterial cells
Pyruvate oxidation: The creation of acetyl CoA during cellular respiration from pyruvate molecules made from glycolysis
radioisotopes: unstable isotopes that decay spontaneously by emitting radiation
reading frame: one of three possible positions in which to read the bases of a gene in groups of three
reflex arc: a neural circuit that travels through the spinal cord but does not require the coordination of the brain; allows for reflex actions
refractory period: the period of time during which the threshold required for the generation of an action potential is much higher than normal
replication bubble: the region where two replication forks are in close proximity to each other, producing a bubble in the replicating DNA
replication fork: the region where the enzymes replicating a DNA molecule are bound to untwisted, single-stranded DNA
R-group: the side groups which are what make each amino acid different from the others. There are 20 side groups used to make proteins.
ribosomal RNA (rRNA): a form of RNA that binds with ribosomal protein to form ribosomes
RNA (ribonucleic acid): is a single stranded carrier of genetic information that contains a ribose sugar
RNA polymerase: enzyme that is responsible for transcribing DNA into complementary mRNA
RNA (ribonucleic acid) primer: a sequence of 10 to 60 RNA bases that is annealed to a region of single-stranded DNA for the purpose of initiating DNA replication
recombinant DNA: the fragment of DNA composed of sequences originating from at least two different sources
restriction endonucleases: the enzymes that are able to cleave double-stranded DNA into fragments at specific sequences; also
known as restriction enzymes
recognition site: a specific sequence within double-stranded DNA, usually palindromic and consisting of four to eight nucleotides
that a restriction endonuclease recognizes and cleaves
reading frame: one of three possible positions in which to read the bases of a gene in groups of three
reflex arc: a neural circuit that travels through the spinal cord but does not require the coordination of the brain; allows for reflex actions
refractory period: the period of time during which the threshold required for the generation of an action potential is much higher than normal
replication bubble: the region where two replication forks are in close proximity to each other, producing a bubble in the replicating DNA
replication fork: the region where the enzymes replicating a DNA molecule are bound to untwisted, single-stranded DNA
R-group: the side groups which are what make each amino acid different from the others. There are 20 side groups used to make proteins.
ribosomal RNA (rRNA): a form of RNA that binds with ribosomal protein to form ribosomes
RNA (ribonucleic acid): is a single stranded carrier of genetic information that contains a ribose sugar
RNA polymerase: enzyme that is responsible for transcribing DNA into complementary mRNA
RNA (ribonucleic acid) primer: a sequence of 10 to 60 RNA bases that is annealed to a region of single-stranded DNA for the purpose of initiating DNA replication
recombinant DNA: the fragment of DNA composed of sequences originating from at least two different sources
restriction endonucleases: the enzymes that are able to cleave double-stranded DNA into fragments at specific sequences; also
known as restriction enzymes
recognition site: a specific sequence within double-stranded DNA, usually palindromic and consisting of four to eight nucleotides
that a restriction endonuclease recognizes and cleaves
second law of thermodynamics: the entropy of the universe increases with any change that occurs.
semiconservative: process of replication in which each DNA molecule is composed of one parent strand and one newly synthesized strand
sensor: components of a homeostatic feedback system that gathers information about the environment
set point: the optimal range of values for a given variable of a homeostatic system
single-stranded binding proteins (SSBs): a protein that keeps separated strands of DNA apart
spongy mesophyll: located below the palisade mesophyll in leaf tissue; contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis
spontaneous reaction: occurs without being driven by some outside force.
start codon: specific codon (typically AUG) that signals to the ribosome that the translation starts at that point
sticky ends: the fragment end of a DNA molecule with short single-stranded overhangs, resulting from cleavage by a restriction enzyme
stop codon: specific codons that signal the end of translation to a ribosome
stromatolites: solid rock structure formed by prehistoric cyanobacteria (the first photosynthetic organisms)
stroma: intracellular space of a chloroplast
sucrose: a common, naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many plants and plant parts. A disaccharide of glucose and fructose.
synapse: a functional connection between neurons or between neurons and effectors
synaptic cleft: the tiny gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic cells in a chemical synapse, across which the neurotransmitter diffuses
semiconservative: process of replication in which each DNA molecule is composed of one parent strand and one newly synthesized strand
sensor: components of a homeostatic feedback system that gathers information about the environment
set point: the optimal range of values for a given variable of a homeostatic system
single-stranded binding proteins (SSBs): a protein that keeps separated strands of DNA apart
spongy mesophyll: located below the palisade mesophyll in leaf tissue; contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis
spontaneous reaction: occurs without being driven by some outside force.
start codon: specific codon (typically AUG) that signals to the ribosome that the translation starts at that point
sticky ends: the fragment end of a DNA molecule with short single-stranded overhangs, resulting from cleavage by a restriction enzyme
stop codon: specific codons that signal the end of translation to a ribosome
stromatolites: solid rock structure formed by prehistoric cyanobacteria (the first photosynthetic organisms)
stroma: intracellular space of a chloroplast
sucrose: a common, naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many plants and plant parts. A disaccharide of glucose and fructose.
synapse: a functional connection between neurons or between neurons and effectors
synaptic cleft: the tiny gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic cells in a chemical synapse, across which the neurotransmitter diffuses
template: a single-stranded DNA sequence that acts as the guiding pattern for producing a complementary DNA strand
template strand: the single-stranded DNA sequence that RNA polymerase uses to build the complimentary mRNA strand
termination sequence: sequence of bases at the end of a gene that signals the RNA polymerase to stop transcribing
T4 DNA ligase: an enzyme used to join together DNA blunt or sticky ends
thylakoid: membrane-bound compartment found inside chloroplasts; site of light-dependent photosynthetic reactions
thylakoid lumen: the fluid filled space inside the thylakoid membrane
tolerable range: the amount of variation the body can tolerate without harmful consequences
transcription: process in which DNA is used as a template to create a complimentary strand of mRNA
transcription factors: proteins involved in the process of converting, or transcribing, DNA into RNA.
transfer RNA (tRNA): a form of RNA that is responsible for delivering amino acids to the ribosomes during the process of translation
transformation: the introduction of foreign DNA, usually by a plasmid or virus, into a bacterial cell
translation: process in which ribosomes assemble amino acids in a particular order coded for by the mRNA in order to synthesis a specific polypeptide sequence
triglyceride: an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. Triglycerides are the main constituent of body fat in humans and animals, as well as vegetable fat.
template strand: the single-stranded DNA sequence that RNA polymerase uses to build the complimentary mRNA strand
termination sequence: sequence of bases at the end of a gene that signals the RNA polymerase to stop transcribing
T4 DNA ligase: an enzyme used to join together DNA blunt or sticky ends
thylakoid: membrane-bound compartment found inside chloroplasts; site of light-dependent photosynthetic reactions
thylakoid lumen: the fluid filled space inside the thylakoid membrane
tolerable range: the amount of variation the body can tolerate without harmful consequences
transcription: process in which DNA is used as a template to create a complimentary strand of mRNA
transcription factors: proteins involved in the process of converting, or transcribing, DNA into RNA.
transfer RNA (tRNA): a form of RNA that is responsible for delivering amino acids to the ribosomes during the process of translation
transformation: the introduction of foreign DNA, usually by a plasmid or virus, into a bacterial cell
translation: process in which ribosomes assemble amino acids in a particular order coded for by the mRNA in order to synthesis a specific polypeptide sequence
triglyceride: an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. Triglycerides are the main constituent of body fat in humans and animals, as well as vegetable fat.
wobble hypothesis: explains why multiple codons can code for a single amino acid due to the less-precise base pairs that can arise between the 3rd base of the codon and the base at the 1st position on the anticodon
work: the transfer of energy from one body or place to another
work: the transfer of energy from one body or place to another