Base pair
Fundamental unit of double-stranded nucleic acids consisting of two nucleobases bound to each other by hydrogen bonds.
- Base pair500 related topics
Cytosine
One of the four nucleobases found in DNA and RNA, along with adenine, guanine, and thymine (uracil in RNA).
One of the four nucleobases found in DNA and RNA, along with adenine, guanine, and thymine (uracil in RNA).
In Watson-Crick base pairing, it forms three hydrogen bonds with guanine.
Nucleic acid
Nucleic acids are biopolymers, macromolecules, essential to all known forms of life.
Nucleic acids are biopolymers, macromolecules, essential to all known forms of life.
Using amino acids and the process known as protein synthesis, the specific sequencing in DNA of these nucleobase-pairs enables storing and transmitting coded instructions as genes.
DNA polymerase
Member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of DNA molecules from nucleoside triphosphates, the molecular precursors of DNA.
Member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of DNA molecules from nucleoside triphosphates, the molecular precursors of DNA.
Before replication can take place, an enzyme called helicase unwinds the DNA molecule from its tightly woven form, in the process breaking the hydrogen bonds between the nucleotide bases.
DNA
Polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses.
Polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses.
The nitrogenous bases of the two separate polynucleotide strands are bound together, according to base pairing rules (A with T and C with G), with hydrogen bonds to make double-stranded DNA.
Transfer RNA
Adaptor molecule composed of RNA, typically 76 to 90 nucleotides in length (in eukaryotes), that serves as the physical link between the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of proteins.
Adaptor molecule composed of RNA, typically 76 to 90 nucleotides in length (in eukaryotes), that serves as the physical link between the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of proteins.
The anticodon forms three complementary base pairs with a codon in mRNA during protein biosynthesis.
Complementarity (molecular biology)
Related to Molecular biology.
Related to Molecular biology.
The degree of complementarity between two nucleic acid strands may vary, from complete complementarity (each nucleotide is across from its opposite) to no complementarity (each nucleotide is not across from its opposite) and determines the stability of the sequences to be together.
Nucleic acid sequence
Succession of bases signified by a series of a set of five different letters that indicate the order of nucleotides forming alleles within a DNA or RNA (GACU) molecule.
Succession of bases signified by a series of a set of five different letters that indicate the order of nucleotides forming alleles within a DNA or RNA (GACU) molecule.
The nucleobases are important in base pairing of strands to form higher-level secondary and tertiary structure such as the famed double helix.
Thymine
One of the four nucleobases in the nucleic acid of DNA that are represented by the letters G–C–A–T.
One of the four nucleobases in the nucleic acid of DNA that are represented by the letters G–C–A–T.
The mutations caused by thymine deficiency appear to occur only at AT base pair sites in DNA and are often AT to GC transition mutations.
Biomass (ecology)
Mass of living biological organisms in a given area or ecosystem at a given time.
Mass of living biological organisms in a given area or ecosystem at a given time.
The total number of DNA base pairs on Earth, as a possible approximation of global biodiversity, is estimated at 5.3, and weighs 50 billion tonnes.
Human genome
Complete set of nucleic acid sequences for humans, encoded as DNA within the 23 chromosome pairs in cell nuclei and in a small DNA molecule found within individual mitochondria.
Complete set of nucleic acid sequences for humans, encoded as DNA within the 23 chromosome pairs in cell nuclei and in a small DNA molecule found within individual mitochondria.
Haploid human genomes, which are contained in germ cells (the egg and sperm gamete cells created in the meiosis phase of sexual reproduction before fertilization) consist of 3,054,815,472 DNA base pairs (if X chromosome is used), while female diploid genomes (found in somatic cells) have twice the DNA content.