Genetics and DNA Basics

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What is DNA?

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Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms.

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What is a Nucleotide?

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The building block of DNA, made of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

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What is a Nitrogen Base?

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The part of a nucleotide that includes: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G).

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What is the Base Pairing Rule in DNA?

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A pairs with T and C pairs with G.

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What is a Double Helix?

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The twisted ladder shape of the DNA molecule.

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What is a Gene?

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A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait.

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What is a Chromosome?

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A structure made of DNA and protein that carries genetic information; humans have 46 (23 pairs).

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What is a Genome?

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All of the DNA in an organism; its complete set of genetic instructions.

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What is DNA Replication?

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The process of copying DNA before a cell divides.

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What is Helicase?

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The enzyme that unzips the DNA double helix by breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs.