Biology Vocabulary

1. Double Helix: the spiral-staircase structure characteristic of the DNA molecule.

2. DNA Polymerase: an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the DNA molecule.
3. DNA Helicase: an enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during DNA replication.
4. Promoter: The region of an operon that acts as the initial binding site for RNA polymerase.
5. RNA Polymerase: an enzyme that starts the formation of RNA by using a strand from a DNA
template, or, in some viruses, from an RNA template.
6. Translation: The process by which messenger RNA directs the amino acid sequence of a
growing polypeptide during protein synthesis.
7. Transcription: The process by which messenger RNA is synthesized from a DNA template
resulting in the transfer of genetic information from the DNA molecule to the messenger RNA.
8. Codon: A sequence of three adjacent nucleotides constituting the genetic code that determines
the insertion of a specific amino acid in a polypeptide chain during protein synthesis or the signal to stop
protein synthesis.
9. Terminator: A sequence of nucleotides that signals the end of transcription or translation and
the completion of the synthesis of a nucleic acid or protein molecule.
10. Translocation: A transfer of a chromosomal segment to a new position, especially on a
nonhomologous chromosome.
11. Insertion: The addition, as by mutation, of one or more nucleotides to a chromosome.
12. Deletion: The loss, as through mutation, of one or more nucleotides from a chromosome.

13. Frameshift: A directed change in translational reading frames that allows the production of a
single protein from two or more overlapping genes. The process is programmed by the nucleotide sequence
of the mRNA and is sometimes also affected by the secondary or tertiary mRNA structure.
14. Inversion: A chromosomal defect in which a segment of the chromosome breaks off and
reattaches in the reverse direction.
15. DNA: A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell and is capable of self-
replication and synthesis of RNA. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides twisted into a double helix
and joined by hydrogen bonds between the complementary bases adenine and thymine or cytosine and
guanine. The sequence of nucleotides determines individual hereditary characteristics.

16. RNA: A polymeric constituent of all living cells and many viruses, consisting of a long, usually
single-stranded chain of alternating phosphate and ribose units with the bases adenine, guanine, cytosine,
and uracil bonded to the ribose. RNA molecules are involved in protein synthesis and sometimes in the
transmission of genetic information. Also called ribonucleic acid.
17. tRNA: One of a class of RNA molecules that transport amino acids to ribosomes for
incorporation into a polypeptide undergoing synthesis. (Transfer RNA)
18. mRNA: The form of RNA that mediates the transfer of genetic information from the cell
nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for protein synthesis. It is synthesized
from a DNA template during the process of transcription. (Messenger RNA)
19. rRna: Any of three large types of ribonucleic acid found in ribosomes. (Ribosomal RNA)
20. Anticodon: A sequence of three adjacent nucleotides in transfer RNA that binds to a
corresponding codon in messenger RNA and designates a specific amino acid during protein synthesis.
21. Introns: A segment of a gene situated between exons that is removed before translation of
messenger RNA and does not function in coding for protein synthesis.
22. Exons: A sequence of DNA that codes information for protein synthesis that is transcribed to
messenger RNA.