STEM Topic 12: VOCABULARY
 

1. Allele: An allele is one version of a DNA sequence  at a given genetic location. An individual inherits two alleles, one from each parent, for any given genetic location.

2. Amino Acid - An amino acid is an organic molecule that is made up of a basic amino group (−NH2), an acidic carboxyl group (−COOH), and an organic group that is unique to each amino acid.

3. Chromosome - a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

4. DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the carrier of genetic information.  A self-replicating material which is the main constituent of chromosomes.

5. Gene - A unit of heredity which when transferred from a parent to offspring determines some characteristic of the offspring.

6. Genome - the haploid set of chromosomes in each cell of a multicellular organism.

7. Genotype - The genetic makeup of an organism.

8. Haploid - cells with only one set of chromosomes.

9. Haplotype - A group of genes inherited from a single parent.

10. Hypodescent - The automatic assignment by the dominant culture of children of a mixed union or sexual relations between members of different socioeconomic groups or ethnic groups to the subordinate group.

11. Mitochondrial DNA - Human mitochondrial DNA was the first significant part of the human genome to be sequenced. It is the marker used to trace the matrilineal descent.

12. Nucleic acid is the overall name for DNA and RNA. They are composed of nucleotides, made of three components: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

13. Nucleotides - a compound consisting of a DNA pair (A to the T or C to the G) compound adenosine or linked to a sugar and a phosphate (Ph) group. Nucleotides form the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA.

14. Nucleus - Typically a single rounded structure bounded by a membrane, containing the genetic material.

15. Organic Molecule - A molecule has more than one type of atom as part of its structure. If it has that has Carbon as one of its components it can be an organic molecule. All life forms are built around Carbon.

16. Phosphate Group - A phosphorus atom (P) bound to four oxygen (O) atoms.

17. Polymorphism - The presence of genetic variation within a population, upon which natural selection can operate.

18. Proteins - Nitrogenous (has nitrogen), organic (has carbon) compound that consist of large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids.

19. RNA - ribonucleic acid. Its principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins

20. Sugar - A type of molecule consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms. Deoxyribose, a sugar component of DNA, has the formula C5H10O4.

21. Y Chromosome DNA - In human genetics, a human Y-chromosome DNA is a haplogroup. Many people within a haplogroup share a type of mutation called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SN(i)P).