nucleic acid
Blueprint molecule type
Nucleic acids are long molecules that store and transmit genetic information.
DNA and RNA are the two types—DNA carries hereditary instructions in chromosomes, while RNA helps translate those instructions into proteins.
The name reflects their discovery in cell nuclei and their acidic chemical properties.
Nucleic acid sequencing has revolutionized forensic science.
Two intertwined spirals
- base pairTwo matched nucleotides bonded
- hydrogen bondElectronegativity-based intermolecular attraction
- antiparallelParallel but opposite-facing
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
purine · pyrimidine · adenine · thymine · cytosine · guanine · uracil · ribose
Hereditary code molecule
- RNAGene expression molecule
- geneHereditary information unit
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
heredity · inheritance · genotype · allele · locus · sequencing · mutation · replication
DNA amplification technique
- sequencingDetermining element order
- cloningMaking identical copies
- hybridizationMixing distinct genetic lines
- Southern blotDNA transfer and detection method
primer · amplification · ligase · polymerase · microarray · genomics · bioinformatics · CRISPR-Cas9
Protein synthesis site
- mitochondrial DNAMaternally inherited organelle genome
- nucleolusRibosome-producing nuclear structure
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
nucleoplasm · viral genome · cell division · mitosis · meiosis · gene expression · protein synthesis · nuclease
Life from inanimate matter
- prebioticNutrient for gut bacteria
- primordial soupHypothetical life-origin mixture
- self-replicationAutonomous copying of oneself
- origin of lifeHow living things began
double helix
Two intertwined spirals
- base pairTwo matched nucleotides bonded
- hydrogen bondElectronegativity-based intermolecular attraction
- antiparallelParallel but opposite-facing
backbone · purine · pyrimidine · adenine · thymine · cytosine · guanine · uracil · ribose · deoxyribose
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
- RNAGene expression molecule
- geneHereditary information unit
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
genome · heredity · inheritance · genotype · allele · locus · sequencing · mutation · replication · transcription
PCR
DNA amplification technique
- sequencingDetermining element order
- cloningMaking identical copies
- hybridizationMixing distinct genetic lines
Southern blot · primer · amplification · ligase · polymerase · microarray · genomics · bioinformatics · CRISPR-Cas9 · gene therapy
ribosome
Protein synthesis site
- mitochondrial DNAMaternally inherited organelle genome
- nucleolusRibosome-producing nuclear structure
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
cytoplasm · nucleoplasm · viral genome · cell division · mitosis · meiosis · gene expression · protein synthesis · nuclease · histone
abiogenesis
Life from inanimate matter
- prebioticNutrient for gut bacteria
- primordial soupHypothetical life-origin mixture
- self-replicationAutonomous copying of oneself
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, reagents, solutions, solution
- acidsaqua regia
- cell biologycell membrane, cell division, cytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria
- biopolymersbiopolymers, cellulose, chitin, DNA, RNA
- Macromoleculespolymer, polymers, protein, proteins, DNA
- Viral Componentscapsid, envelope, viral envelope, spike protein, coat protein
nucleic acidprotein
Folded amino chain
polypeptide · lipid · carbohydrate · polysaccharide · fatty acid
acid, nuclear, nucleus, acids, nucleotide, nucleic, nucleotides, deoxyribonucleic acid, nucleic acids