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Glossary
∗
Lukasz Wita
Ewa Paszek
Based on Glossary† by
Lukasz Wita
This work is produced by OpenStax-CNX and licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution License 1.0
‡
Abstract
This course is a short series of lectures on Statistical Bioinformatics.
Topics covered are listed in
the Table of Contents. The notes were prepared by Ewa Paszek, Lukasz Wita and Marek Kimmel. The
development of this course has been supported by NSF 0203396 grant.
1 Alphabet
A (Denition: "ADENINE", p. 1) B C (Denition: "CENTROMERE", p. 2) D (Denition: "DNA", p. 4)
E (Denition: "EXON", p. 4) F G (Denition: "GAMETE", p. 4) H (Denition: "HIS (HISTIDINE)(H)",
p. 5) I (Denition: "ILE (ISOLEUCINE)(I)", p. 5) J K L (Denition: "LEU (LEUCINE)(L)", p. 6) M
(Denition: "MEIOSIS", p. 6) N (Denition: "NUCLEUS", p. 7) O P (Denition: "PHE (PHENYLALANINE)(F)", p. 7) Q R (Denition: "RECOMBINATION", p. 8) S (Denition: "SER (SERINE)(S)", p. 8)
T (Denition: "TELOMERE", p. 8) U (Denition: "URACIL", p. 9) V (Denition: "VAL (VALINE)(V)",
p. 10) W X Y Z
Glossary
Denition 1: ADENINE
One of the four bases in DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) that make up the letters ATGC, adenine
is the "A". The others are guanine (Denition: "GUANINE", p. 5), cytosine (Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4), and thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9). Adenine always pairs with thymine.
(from National Human Genome Research Institute)1
Denition 2: ALA (ALANINE)(A)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)2
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1 http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=adenine
2 http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
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Denition 3: AMINO ACIDS
A group of 20 dierent kinds of small molecules that link together in long chains to form proteins
(Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7). Often referred to as the "building blocks" of proteins. (from
National Human Genome Research Institute)3
Denition 4: ANAPHASE
the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle.
(from WordNet)4
Denition 5: ARG (ARGININE)(R)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)5
Denition 6: ASN (ASPARAGINE)(N)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)6
Denition 7: ASP (ASPARTIC ACID)(D)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)7
Denition 8: ASX (ASPARAGINE OR ASPARTIC ACID)(B)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)8
Denition 9: BASE PAIR
Two bases which form a "rung of the DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) ladder." A DNA nucleotide
(Denition: "NUCLEOTIDE", p. 7) is made of a molecule of sugar, a molecule of phosphoric acid,
and a molecule called a base. The bases are the "letters" that spell out the genetic code. In DNA,
the code letters are A, T, G, and C, which stand for the chemicals adenine (Denition: "ADENINE",
p. 1), thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9), guanine (Denition: "GUANINE", p. 5), and
cytosine (Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4), respectively. In base pairing, adenine always pairs
with thymine, and guanine always pairs with cytosine. (from National Human Genome Research
Institute)9
Denition 10: CENTROMERE
The constricted region near the center of a human chromosome (Denition: "CHROMOSOME",
p. 3). This is the region of the chromosome where the two sister chromatids (Denition: "CHROMATID", p. 3) are joined to one another. (from National Human Genome Research Institute)10
Denition 11: CODON
Three bases in a DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) or RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8) sequence
which specify a single amino acid (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from National Human
Genome Research Institute)11
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http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=amino%20acids
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=base%20pair
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=centromere
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=codon
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Denition 12: COMPLEMENTARY DNA (CDNA)
a single-stranded DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) synthesized from a mature mRNA (Denition:
"MRNA", p. 6) template. cDNA is often used to clone eukaryotic genes (Denition: "GENE", p.
4) in prokaryotes. (from Wikipedia)12
Denition 13: CHROMATID
one of two identical strands into which a chromosome (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3) splits
during mitosis (Denition: "MITOSIS", p. 6). (from WordNet)13
Denition 14: CHROMATIN (CHROMATIN GRANULE)
the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus (Denition: "NUCLEUS", p. 7) consisting of DNA
(Denition: "DNA", p. 4) and RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8) and various proteins (Denition:
"PROTEIN", p. 7); during mitotic (Denition: "MITOSIS", p. 6) division the chromatin condenses
into chromosomes (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3)(from WordNet)14
Denition 15: CHROMOSOME
One of the threadlike "packages" of genes (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) and other DNA (Denition:
"DNA", p. 4) in the nucleus (Denition: "NUCLEUS", p. 7) of a cell. Dierent kinds of organisms
have dierent numbers of chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in all: 44
autosomes and two sex chromosomes. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair, so
children get half of their chromosomes from their mothers and half from their fathers. (from
National Human Genome Research Institute)15
Denition 16: CLUSTER (GENE CLUSTER)
A set of closely related genes (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) that code for the same or similar proteins
(Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) and which are usually grouped together on the same chromosome
(Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3). (from BioTech Dictionary)16
Denition 17: COVALENT BOND
A bond between two or more atoms that is provided by electrons that travel between the atoms'
nuclei (Denition: "NUCLEUS", p. 7), holding them together but keeping them a stable distance
apart. (from BioTech Dictionary)17
Denition 18: CROSSING OVER
The breaking during meiosis (Denition: "MEIOSIS", p. 6) of one maternal and one paternal
chromosome (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3), the exchange of corresponding sections of
DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4), and the rejoining of the chromosomes. This process can result in
an exchange of alleles between chromosomes. (from Human Genome Project Information)18
Denition 19: CROSSLINKING
The linking of two strands of DNA by covalent bonds (Denition: "COVALENT BOND", p. 3)
(as opposed to the normal hydrogen bonds between base pairs (Denition: "BASE PAIR", p. 2) ),
which can occur by exposure to X-rays. (from BioTech Dictionary)19
Denition 20: CYS (CYSTEINE)(C)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)20
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDNA
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=chromosome
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.mhtml
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
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Denition 21: CYTOPLASM
All the contents of a cell, including the plasma membrane, but not including the nucleus (Denition:
"NUCLEUS", p. 7). (from UCMP Glossary)21
Denition 22: CYTOSINE
One of the four bases in DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) that make up the letters ATGC, cytosine
is the "C". The others are adenine (Denition: "ADENINE", p. 1), guanine (Denition: "GUANINE", p. 5), and thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9). Cytosine always pairs with guanine
(Denition: "GUANINE", p. 5). (from National Human Genome Research Institute)22
Denition 23: DNA
The chemical inside the nucleus (Denition: "NUCLEUS", p. 7) of a cell that carries the genetic
instructions for making living organisms. (from National Human Genome Research Institute)23
Denition 24: DNA MICROARRAY (DNA CHIP)
a piece of glass or plastic on which single-stranded pieces of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) have
been axed in a microscopic array. (from Wikipedia)24
Denition 25: ENHANCER
a short region of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) which can be bound with proteins (Denition:
"PROTEIN", p. 7) (namely, the trans-acting factors, much like a set of transcription factors) to
enhance transcription levels of nearby genes (hence the name) in a gene-cluster. (from Wikipedia)25
Denition 26: EXON
The region of a gene (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) that contains the code for producing the gene's
protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7). Each exon (Denition: "EXON", p. 4) codes for a specic portion of the complete protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7). In some species (including
humans), a gene's (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) exons are separated by long regions of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) (called introns or sometimes "junk DNA") that have no apparent function.
(from National Human Genome Research Institute)26
Denition 27: EXPRESSION (GENE EXPRESSION)
The process by which a gene's (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) coded information is converted into the
structures present and operating in the cell. Expressed genes include those that are transcribed
(Denition: "TRANSCRIPTION", p. 9) into mRNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6) and then
translated into protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) and those that are transcribed into RNA
(Denition: "RNA", p. 8) but not translated into protein. (from BioTech Dictionary)27
Denition 28: GAMETE
Mature male or female reproductive cell (sperm or ovum) with a haploid set of chromosomes (Definition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3) (23 for humans). (from Human Genome Project Information)28
Denition 29: GENE
The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to ospring. Genes are pieces of
DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4), and most genes contain the information for making a specic
protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7). (from National Human Genome Research Institute)29
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http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/glossary.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=cytosine
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=deoxyribonucleic%20acid%20%28DNA%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_microarray
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhancer
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=exon
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=gene
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Denition 30: GENOME
All the DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) contained in an organism or a cell, which includes both the
chromosomes (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3) within the nucleus (Denition: "NUCLEUS",
p. 7) and the DNA in mitochondria. (from National Human Genome Research Institute)30
Denition 31: GENETIC MAP (LINKAGE MAP)
a chromosome (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3) map of a species that shows the position of
its known genes (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) and/or markers relative to each other, rather than as
specic physical points on each chromosome. (from National Human Genome Research Institute)31
Denition 32: GLN (GLUTAMINE)(Q)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)32
Denition 33: GLU (GLUTAMIC ACID)(E)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)33
Denition 34: GLX (GLUTAMINE OR GLUTAMIC ACID)(Z)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)34 .
Denition 35: GLY (GLYCINE)(G)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)35
Denition 36: GUANINE
One of the four bases in DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) that make up the letters ATGC, guanine
is the "G". The others are adenine (Denition: "ADENINE", p. 1), cytosine (Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4), and thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9). Guanine always pairs with cytosine
(Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4). (from National Human Genome Research Institute)36
Denition 37: HIS (HISTIDINE)(H)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)37
Denition 38: HYBRIDIZATION
A genetics lab technique used to identify which colonies of bacteria on a plate contain a particular
sequence of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) or a particular gene (Denition: "GENE", p. 4). The
technique involves pressing a nylon or nitrocellulose membrane onto the plate so that each colony
contributes a small smudge of itself to the membrane, then treating the membrane with chemicals
and heat, then washing the membrane with a labeled probe to nd the specic DNA sequence. The
smudges which are indicated by the probe are then compared back to the colonies on the plate.
(from BioTech Dictionary)38
Denition 39: ILE (ISOLEUCINE)(I)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)39
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http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=genome
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=genetic%20map
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=guanine
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
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Denition 40: INTRON
A noncoding sequence of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) that is initially copied into RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8) but is cut out of the nal RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8) transcript. (from
National Human Genome Research Institute)40
Denition 41: IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION
The base pairing of a sequence of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) to metaphase chromosomes
(Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3) on a microscope slide. (from National Human Genome
Research Institute)41
Denition 42: LEU (LEUCINE)(L)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)42
Denition 43: LYS (LYSINE)(K)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)43
Denition 44: MEIOSIS
The process of two consecutive cell divisions in the diploid progenitors of sex cells. Meiosis results in four rather than two daughter cells, each with a haploid set of chromosomes (Denition:
"CHROMOSOME", p. 3). (from Human Genome Project Information)44
Denition 45: MET (METHIONINE)(M)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)45
Denition 46: METAPHASE
The phase of mitosis (Denition: "MITOSIS", p. 6), or cell division, when the chromosomes
(Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3) align along the center of the cell. Because metaphase
chromosomes are highly condensed, scientists use these chromosomes for gene (Denition: "GENE",
p. 4) mapping and identifying chromosomal aberrations. (from National Human Genome Research
Institute)46
Denition 47: MITOSIS
The process of nuclear division in cells that produces daughter cells that are genetically identical
to each other and to the parent cell. (from Human Genome Project Information)47
Denition 48: MRNA
Template for protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) synthesis. Each set of three bases, called
codons (Denition: "CODON", p. 2), species a certain protein in the sequence of amino acids
(Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2) that comprise the protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7).
The sequence of a strand of mRNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6) is based on the sequence of
a complementary strand of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4). (from National Human Genome
Research Institute)48
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http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=intron
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=in%20situ%20hybridization
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=metaphase
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=messenger%20rna%20%28mrna%29
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Denition 49: NORTHERN BLOT
A technique used to identify and locate mRNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6) sequences that are
complementary to a piece of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) called a probe. (from National Human
Genome Research Institute)49 .
Denition 50: NUCLEOTIDE
One of the structural components, or building blocks, of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) and
RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8). A nucleotide consists of a base (one of four chemicals: adenine
(Denition: "ADENINE", p. 1), thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9), guanine (Denition:
"GUANINE", p. 5), and cytosine (Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4)) plus a molecule of sugar and
one of phosphoric acid. (from National Human Genome Research Institute)50
Denition 51: NUCLEUS
The central cell structure that houses the chromosomes (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3).
(from National Human Genome Research Institute)51
Denition 52: OLIGO
Oligonucleotide, short sequence of single-stranded DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) or RNA (Definition: "RNA", p. 8). Oligos are often used as probes for detecting complementary DNA or
RNA because they bind readily to their complements. (from National Human Genome Research
Institute)52
Denition 53: PHE (PHENYLALANINE)(F)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)53
Denition 54: POLYMER
A polymer is formed from the fusion of two monomers which join completely without losing any
small molecules. (from BioTech Dictionary)54 .
Denition 55: POLYPEPTIDE
A protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) or part of a protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7)
made of a chain of amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2) joined by a peptide bond.
(from Human Genome Project Information)55
Denition 56: PRO (PROLINE)(P)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)56 .
Denition 57: PROMOTER
a DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) sequence that enables a gene (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) to
be transcribed (Denition: "TRANSCRIPTION", p. 9). The promoter is recognized by RNA
(Denition: "RNA", p. 8) polymerase, which then initiates transcription. (from Wikipedia)57 .
Denition 58: PROPHASE
1. the rst stage of meiosis (Denition: "MEIOSIS", p. 6)
2. the rst stage of mitosis (Denition: "MITOSIS", p. 6)(from WordNet)58
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http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=northern%20blot
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=nucleotide
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=nucleus
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=oligo
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promoter
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
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Denition 59: PROTEIN
A large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids (Denition: "AMINO
ACIDS", p. 2). Proteins perform a wide variety of activities in the cell. (from National Human
Genome Research Institute)59
Denition 60: RECOMBINATION
The process by which progeny derive a combination of genes (Denition: "GENE", p. 4) dierent from that of either parent. In higher organisms, this can occur by crossing over (Denition:
"CROSSING OVER", p. 3). (from Human Genome Project Information)60
Denition 61: REPLICATION
The process by which DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) copies itself before cell division. Unless
mutation occurs, the new copy of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) is identical to the original DNA
(Denition: "DNA", p. 4). (from HOPES)61
Denition 62: RIBOSOME
Cellular organelle that is the site of protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) synthesis (from National
Human Genome Research Institute)62
Denition 63: RNA
A chemical similar to a single strand of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4). In RNA, the letter U, which
stands for uracil (Denition: "URACIL", p. 9), is substituted for T (Denition: "THYMINE", p.
9) in the genetic code. RNA delivers DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4)'s genetic message to the
cytoplasm (Denition: "CYTOPLASM", p. 3) of a cell where proteins (Denition: "PROTEIN",
p. 7) are made. (from National Human Genome Research Institute)63 64
Denition 64: SER (SERINE)(S)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)65 .
Denition 65: SOUTHERN BLOT
A technique used to identify and locate DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) sequences which are
complementary to another piece of DNA called a probe. (from National Human Genome Research
Institute)66 .
Denition 66: SPLICING
The joining of separate strands of DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) or RNA (Denition: "RNA",
p. 8). (from Wikipedia)67 .
Denition 67: TELOMERE
The end of a chromosome (Denition: "CHROMOSOME", p. 3). This specialized structure
is involved in the replication (Denition: "REPLICATION", p. 8) and stability of linear DNA
(Denition: "DNA", p. 4) molecules. (from Human Genome Project Information)68
Denition 68: TELOPHASE
1. the nal stage of meiosis (Denition: "MEIOSIS", p. 6) when the chromosomes (Denition:
"CHROMOSOME", p. 3) move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
2. the nal stage of mitosis (Denition: "MITOSIS", p. 6)(from WordNet)69
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http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=protein
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://www.stanford.edu/group/hopes/sttools/gloss/r.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=ribosome
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=ribonucleic%20acid%20%28rna%29
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=ribonucleic%20acid%20%28rna%29
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=southern%20blot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splicing
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
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Denition 69: THR (THREONINE)(T)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)70 .
Denition 70: THYMINE
One of the four bases in DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) that make up the letters ATGC, thymine
is the "T". The others are adenine (Denition: "ADENINE", p. 1), guanine (Denition: "GUANINE", p. 5), and cytosine (Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4). Thymine always pairs with adenine.
(from National Human Genome Research Institute)71
Denition 71: TRANSCRIPTION
the organic process whereby the DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) sequence in a gene (Denition:
"GENE", p. 4) is copied into mRNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6); the process whereby a base
sequence of messenger RNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6) is synthesized on a template of complementary DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4)(from WordNet)72
Denition 72: TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR
a protein that binds DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4) at a specic promoter (Denition: "PROMOTER", p. 7) or enhancer (Denition: "ENHANCER", p. 4) region or site, where it regulates
transcription (Denition: "TRANSCRIPTION", p. 9). Transcription factors can be selectively
activated or deactivated by other proteins, often as the nal step in signal transduction. (from
Wikipedia)73 .
Denition 73: TRANSLATION
the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6)
directs the formation of a specic protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) at a ribosome (Denition:
"RIBOSOME", p. 8) in the cytoplasm (Denition: "CYTOPLASM", p. 3). (from WordNet)74
Denition 74: TRNA
A class of RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8) having structures with triplet nucleotide sequences that
are complementary to the triplet nucleotide coding sequences of mRNA (Denition: "MRNA", p.
6). The role of tRNAs in protein (Denition: "PROTEIN", p. 7) synthesis is to bond with amino
acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2) and transfer them to the ribosomes, where proteins are
assembled according to the genetic code carried by mRNA (Denition: "MRNA", p. 6). (from
Human Genome Project Information)75
Denition 75: TRP TRYPTOPHAN)(W)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)76 .
Denition 76: TYR (TYROSINE)(Y)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)77 .
Denition 77: URACIL
One of the four bases in RNA (Denition: "RNA", p. 8). The others are adenine (Denition:
"ADENINE", p. 1), guanine (Denition: "GUANINE", p. 5), and cytosine (Denition: "CYTOSINE", p. 4). Uracil replaces thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9), which is the fourth base
in DNA (Denition: "DNA", p. 4). Like thymine (Denition: "THYMINE", p. 9), uracil always
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http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=thymine
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcription_factor
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/index.shtml
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://cnx.org/content/m12371/1.13/
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OpenStax-CNX module: m12371
pairs with adenine (Denition: "ADENINE", p. 1). (from National Human Genome Research
Institute)78
Denition 78: VAL (VALINE)(V)
One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids (Denition: "AMINO ACIDS", p. 2). (from
BioTech Dictionary)79 .
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http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=uracil
http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/search/dict-search.html
http://cnx.org/content/m12371/1.13/
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