Biology 201 Duke University
Replication - answer the process wherein a complimentary copy of each strand of DNA
is generated by DNA polymerase
species - answer reproductively isolated group of organisms
nucleic acid - answer informational molecules and typically have simple, linear structure
composed of the monomer building blocks (nucleotides) that are the instructions for life;
direct the synthesis of proteins; specifies the structure and function of the cell
progenote - answera putative common orignal life form from which the entire diversity of
modern-day life derives, often referred to as the last universal common ancestor
(LUCA)
amino acids - answer chemical building block of proteins containing an amino group, a
carboxyl group, and one of 20 possible side chains
nucleotides - answerbase joined to ribose or deoxyribose and one or more phosphate
groups; form the repeating unit of nucleic-acid polymers DNA and RNA
genome - answera linear sequence of nucleotides in DNA comprises the genetic
makeup of an organism
DNA polymerase - answerenzyme that synthesizes new DNA by copying single-
stranded DNA template; the polymerase moves alone the template and synthesizes a
new strand of complementary DNA sequence by adding nucleotides, one at a time, to
the 3' OH end of the new strand
genes - answera region of DNA that controls a discrete, hereditary characteristic, and
as such usually specifies the production of a functional product (a protein or RNA
molecule)
chromosomes - answera structure composed of DNA complexed with specific proteins,
which is the form in which the genetic traits encoded in DNA are maintained and
transmitted from one generation to the next; generally, organisms have multiple,
independent linear chromosomes or a single, circular chromosome
plasmids - answerextra-chromosomal pieces of DNA that can also carry important
genetic information
gene expression - answerutilization of the information provided by a gene to generate a
functional product
, transposable elements - answera discrete mobile DNA segment that can move between
non-homologous positions in a genome
model organism - answerorganisms that are extensively studied to gain insights into
biological processes that occur in many other organisms, and that are easy to
manipulate under laboratory conditions
transcription - answerprocess of copying the DNA sequence of interest into the
corresponding RNA
translation - answerprocess wherein the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA is
deciphered in three-base triplets into the corresponding amino acids to form the
encoded protein via the actions of the ribosome and auxiliary protein facotrs
RNA polymerase - answerthe molecular machinery responsible for copying the DNA
into RNA
tRNA - answerbifunctional adaptor molecule that interprets the genetic code and
participates in the synthesis of proteins by the ribosome
gene regulation - answermechanisms through which the expression of a gene product is
controlled in time and space
prokaryotes - answer(meaning 'before the kernel' or pre-nuclear) unicellular species,
including members of the bacterial and the archaeal kingdoms, which do not have
internal membranes within their cells
nucleoid - answerregion of bacterial and archaeal cells in which the chromosomal DNA
is sequestered and packaged with proteins
nucleus - answermembrane-bound compartment found in eukaryotic cells where the
chromosomes are contained
cytoplasm - answer(meaning 'cell substance') contents of the cell contained within the
cell membrane and, in eukaryotic cells, outside of the nucleus
mitochondria - answerorganelle found in eukaryotic cells that contains the
macromolecular machinery responsible for deriving chemical energy from food
precursors (known as the power house of the cell)
chloroplasts - answerorganelle found in plant cells that houses the machinery for
harvesting energy from sunlight for the production of sugars within the cell
endosymbionts - answerorganism living within the cell or body of another organism
Replication - answer the process wherein a complimentary copy of each strand of DNA
is generated by DNA polymerase
species - answer reproductively isolated group of organisms
nucleic acid - answer informational molecules and typically have simple, linear structure
composed of the monomer building blocks (nucleotides) that are the instructions for life;
direct the synthesis of proteins; specifies the structure and function of the cell
progenote - answera putative common orignal life form from which the entire diversity of
modern-day life derives, often referred to as the last universal common ancestor
(LUCA)
amino acids - answer chemical building block of proteins containing an amino group, a
carboxyl group, and one of 20 possible side chains
nucleotides - answerbase joined to ribose or deoxyribose and one or more phosphate
groups; form the repeating unit of nucleic-acid polymers DNA and RNA
genome - answera linear sequence of nucleotides in DNA comprises the genetic
makeup of an organism
DNA polymerase - answerenzyme that synthesizes new DNA by copying single-
stranded DNA template; the polymerase moves alone the template and synthesizes a
new strand of complementary DNA sequence by adding nucleotides, one at a time, to
the 3' OH end of the new strand
genes - answera region of DNA that controls a discrete, hereditary characteristic, and
as such usually specifies the production of a functional product (a protein or RNA
molecule)
chromosomes - answera structure composed of DNA complexed with specific proteins,
which is the form in which the genetic traits encoded in DNA are maintained and
transmitted from one generation to the next; generally, organisms have multiple,
independent linear chromosomes or a single, circular chromosome
plasmids - answerextra-chromosomal pieces of DNA that can also carry important
genetic information
gene expression - answerutilization of the information provided by a gene to generate a
functional product
, transposable elements - answera discrete mobile DNA segment that can move between
non-homologous positions in a genome
model organism - answerorganisms that are extensively studied to gain insights into
biological processes that occur in many other organisms, and that are easy to
manipulate under laboratory conditions
transcription - answerprocess of copying the DNA sequence of interest into the
corresponding RNA
translation - answerprocess wherein the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA is
deciphered in three-base triplets into the corresponding amino acids to form the
encoded protein via the actions of the ribosome and auxiliary protein facotrs
RNA polymerase - answerthe molecular machinery responsible for copying the DNA
into RNA
tRNA - answerbifunctional adaptor molecule that interprets the genetic code and
participates in the synthesis of proteins by the ribosome
gene regulation - answermechanisms through which the expression of a gene product is
controlled in time and space
prokaryotes - answer(meaning 'before the kernel' or pre-nuclear) unicellular species,
including members of the bacterial and the archaeal kingdoms, which do not have
internal membranes within their cells
nucleoid - answerregion of bacterial and archaeal cells in which the chromosomal DNA
is sequestered and packaged with proteins
nucleus - answermembrane-bound compartment found in eukaryotic cells where the
chromosomes are contained
cytoplasm - answer(meaning 'cell substance') contents of the cell contained within the
cell membrane and, in eukaryotic cells, outside of the nucleus
mitochondria - answerorganelle found in eukaryotic cells that contains the
macromolecular machinery responsible for deriving chemical energy from food
precursors (known as the power house of the cell)
chloroplasts - answerorganelle found in plant cells that houses the machinery for
harvesting energy from sunlight for the production of sugars within the cell
endosymbionts - answerorganism living within the cell or body of another organism
