| A | B |
|---|
| amino acids | the building blocks of protein |
| anticodon | a triplet of bases in tRNA that pairs with a codon in mRNA |
| bacteria | prokaryotic cells that have a single chromosome |
| base | a building block of DNA and RNA |
| biotechnology | a developing industry that utilizes knowledge of DNA and protein synthesis to manufacture biological products |
| cell | the basic building block of life |
| cell membrane | the membrane that surrounds a cell |
| characteristic | the appearance - such as shape, color, or size - of a body feature |
| chromosome | a structure composed primarily of DNA, located in the nucleus of a cell |
| clone | a group of organisms, all of which have identical genes |
| code | the base sequence in DNA that determines which proteins will be made |
| codon | a triplet of bases in mRNA that carries the directions from DNA for the placement of one amino acid into a protein chain |
| cytoplasm | the gelatinlike substance between the nuclear membrane and the cell membrane |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material in the nucleus of a cell which contains the information for making proteins |
| DNA fingerprinting | a technique that utilizes the genetic information contained in the nucleus of cells in order to identify an individual |
| double helix | two helixes wound around each other, as in the structure of DNA |
| electrophoresis | the process by which fragments of DNA are separated by their electrical charges |
| enzyme | a protein that functions to speed up a chemical reaction in an organism |
| eukaryotic | bearing a nuclear membrane. An animal cell is an example of a eukaryotic cell |
| feature | a general body structure, such as eyes, ear, skin, hair, and so on |
| gene | a segment of a chromosome that carries the genetic information for a single protein or trait |
| genetic engineering | the formation of a desired sequence of DNA in a cell by the transfer of genes from one organism to another |
| genetic material | the material in the cell nucleus that contains the information for the synthesis of proteins |
| genome | all the genetic material in the nucleus of a cell |
| helix | a coil that has a constant diameter |
| messenger RNA (mRNA) | a single-stranded chain of nucleotides that carries genetic instructions from the DNA in the cell nucleus to the site of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm |
| mutation | a random change in the genetic material of an organism |
| nuclear membrane | the membrane that surrounds the genetic material in eukaryotic cells |
| nuclear pores | openings in the nuclear membrane |
| nucleotide | a base attached to a sugar and a phosphate |
| nucleus | the largest organelle in a eukaryotic cell. It contains the genetic material and is enclosed by a membrane |
| organelle | a structure in the cytoplasm of a cell which performs one or more cell functions |
| pigment | a material that gives color to plants and animals |
| plasmid | a small fragment of a DNA from a prokaryotic cell that can be used to carry genes from one cell to another |
| prokaryotic | lacking a nuclear membrane. A bacteria cell is an example of a prokaryotic cell |
| protein | a large organic molecule composed of a string of amino acids |
| protein synthesis | the ordered arrangement of specific amino acids to form a specific protein |
| recombinant DNA | DNA assembled from two or more sources |
| replication | the process by which DNA strands are duplicated in order to provide new cells with a copy of the genetic material |
| ribosome | an organelle in the cytoplasm of all cells, and the site of protein synthesis |
| template | the strand of bases on DNA that serves as the basis for making another strand of DNA, or a new mRNA strand |
| transcription | the formation of mRNA as directed by a DNA code |
| transfer RNA (tRNA) | molecules of RNA that carry specific amino acids to the ribosomes where they are synthesized into proteins |
| translation | the process by which an mRNA code is deciphered in order to synthesize a protein |
| variation | individual differences in the characteristics of body features |
| virus | small particles of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat |
