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for a more
comprehensive and technical glossary see this
Amino Acids
20 different amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins.
Autosome
A chromosome not involved in sex determination. The diploid human genome
consists of 46 chromosomes, 22 pairs of autosomes, and 1 pair of sex chromosomes
(the X and Y chromosomes).
Base pair
Two nitrogenous bases (adenine and thymine or guanine and cytosine) held
together by weak bonds. Two strands of DNA are held together in the shape
of a double helix by the bonds between base pairs.
Base sequence
The order of nucleotide bases in a DNA molecule.
Bioinformatics
The study of the application of computer and statistical techniques to
the management of information. In genome projects this includes the development
of methods to search databases quickly, to analyze DNA sequence information,
and to predict protein sequence and structure from DNA sequence data.
Biotechnology
Biological techniques applied to research and product development. In
particular, the use of recombinant DNA, cell fusion, and bioprocessing
techniques by the industry.
Cell
Living organisms consist of cells. The nucleus of every cell contains
genetic material..
Chromosomes
Carrier of genetic Information, made of DNA. Genes are aligned linearly
on the Chromosomes. In prokaryotes, chromosomal DNA is circular, and the
entire genome is carried on one chromosome. Eukaryotic genomes consist
of a number of chromosomes whose DNA is associated with different kinds
of proteins.
Cloning
The process of producing identical copies of a DNA segment asexually.
To achieve this goal a DNA segment is introduced into another living organism
which reproduces very fast and thus multiplies the foreign DNA. In recombinant
DNA technology, the use of DNA manipulation procedures to produce multiple
copies of a single gene or segment of DNA is referred to as cloning DNA.
Codon
A DNA segment consisting of one base triplet.
DNA
DesoxyroboNucleic Acid, the substance which contains genetic information.
DNA consists of two twisted polynucleotid chains. It has four different
constituents (nucleotids), adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and
thymine (T). In nature, base pairs form only between A and T and between
G and C; thus the base sequence of each single strand can be deduced from
that of its partner.
Enzyme
Catalysator of a chemical reaction in a cell. Virtually all known enzymes
are proteins.
Gene
a certain sequence of the genetic material containing the information
how to create a certain protein
Gene therapy
Insertion of normal DNA directly into cells to correct a genetic defect.
Genetic code
Sequence of nucleotides, coded in triplets (codons) along the mRNA, determining
the sequence of amino acids in the production of protein. The four letters
of the DNA alphabet (A, C, G, T) form 64 tripletts or codons. They determine
twenty different amino acids and the signals for stopping the protein
synthesis. The DNA sequence of a gene can be used to predict the mRNA
sequence, and the genetic code can in turn be used to predict the amino
acid sequence.
Genome
All genetic material of a living organism
Genome projects
Research aimed at mapping and sequencing some or all of the genome of
human beings and other organisms.
Mutation
Alteration of genetic material.
Nucleotids
The elements of DNA molecules which determine the DNA structure. There
are four nucleotids: Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), Thyamine
(T)
open reading frame
RNA or DNA sequence without stop codons, thus a possible protein coding
region
Protein
Building blocks of life. Proteins make up living material but also hormones
or enzymes. Proteins are molecules composed of one or more chains of amino
acids in a specific order. This order is determined by the base sequence
of nucleotides in the gene coding for the protein.
RNA
Ribonucleic acid. A substance found in cells. RNA plays an important role
in protein synthesis and other chemical processes. The structure of RNA
is similar to that of DNA. There are several classes of RNA: messenger
RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, and other small RNAs, each serving a
different purpose.
Transcription
The synthesis of an RNA copy from a sequence of DNA (a gene); the first
step in gene expression.
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