| Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms. | DNA |
| What are the two main types of sections in DNA? | DNA has coding and non-coding sections. |
| Parts of DNA that contain the instructions for making proteins. | Coding Sections |
| What do coding sections of DNA contain? | Coding sections of DNA contain the instructions for making proteins. |
| Sections of DNA that do not directly code for proteins but may regulate gene expression or have other functions. | Non-Coding Sections |
| What are non-coding sections of DNA responsible for? | Non-coding sections of DNA control how genes are expressed, determining if a gene is switched on or off. |
| The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product, typically a protein. | Gene Expression |
| What is gene expression? | Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, such as a protein. |
| Variations in DNA sequence among individuals or populations. | Genetic Differences |
| Are there differences between individuals in non-coding parts of DNA? | Yes, there are differences between individuals in non-coding parts of DNA, just like in coding parts. |
| The control of gene expression, typically by turning genes on or off or by adjusting their level of expression. | Regulation |
| How can genetic differences in non-coding DNA affect gene expression? | Genetic differences in non-coding DNA can affect how genes are expressed, influencing regulation and functional outcomes. |
| Differences in the DNA sequence that make each person's DNA unique. | Genetic Variants |
| What are genetic variants? | Genetic variants are the differences in the DNA sequence that make each person's DNA unique. |
| A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence of a gene or chromosome. | Mutation |
| How do new genetic variants arise? | New genetic variants arise by mutation, but this is quite a rare event. |
| DNA sequences that directly encode the amino acid sequences of proteins. | Coding Parts of DNA |
| Where are genetic variants found? | Genetic variants are found in both coding and non-coding parts of DNA. |
| DNA sequences that do not directly code for proteins but may have regulatory functions. | Non-Coding Regions |
| What are non-coding regions of DNA responsible for? | Non-coding regions of DNA do not code for amino acids but can still be involved in making proteins. |
| An enzyme that binds to DNA and carries out transcription to produce RNA. | RNA Polymerase |
| What is the role of RNA polymerase in protein synthesis? | RNA polymerase binds to a gene's non-coding DNA to start protein synthesis. |
| The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA. | Transcription |
| What is transcription? | Transcription is the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA. |
| RNA molecules that carry instructions from DNA to the ribosome, where they specify the amino acid sequence of the protein to be synthesized. | Messenger RNA (mRNA) |
| How does variation in non-coding DNA affect protein production? | Variation in a gene's non-coding DNA can affect the amount of protein produced by influencing mRNA transcription. |
| The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. | Phenotype |
| What is the phenotype influenced by? | The phenotype is influenced by the amount of protein produced, which can be affected by variation in non-coding DNA. |
| Functions involved in controlling gene expression, often through the binding of proteins to specific DNA sequences. | Regulatory Functions |
| How can genetic variants affect protein production? | RNA polymerase may bind to some genetic variants better than others, affecting how much mRNA is transcribed and, subsequently, how much protein is made. |
| Differences in the DNA sequence that make each person's DNA unique. | Genetic Variants |
| Where are genetic variants found? | Genetic variants are found in both coding and non-coding parts of DNA. |
| Sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids during protein synthesis. | Codons |
| What do triplets of bases (codons) in DNA code for? | Triplets of bases code for specific amino acids during protein synthesis. |
| The specific order in which amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form a protein. | Amino Acid Sequence |
| How does variation in coding DNA affect the sequence of amino acids in a protein? | Genetic variants in coding DNA result in different triplets of bases (codons), leading to differences in the sequence of amino acids in the protein. |
| The three-dimensional structure of a protein molecule, determined by the sequence of amino acids. | Protein Shape |
| How does variation in coding DNA affect protein shape? | Differences in the sequence of amino acids caused by genetic variants can affect the shape of the protein produced. |
| The ability of a protein to perform its function, typically influenced by its shape and structure. | Protein Activity |
| What determines a protein's activity? | A protein's activity depends on its shape and structure. |
| A type of protein that acts as a biological catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms. | Enzyme |
| How can changes in a protein's shape affect its function? | Changes in a protein's shape, such as having a "wonky-shaped" active site, may reduce its ability to catalyze reactions efficiently. |
| The region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. | Active Site |
| What is the significance of an enzyme's active site? | An enzyme's activity depends on its active site, which must have a specific shape to catalyze reactions effectively. |
| The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. | Phenotype |
| How can changes in protein activity affect the phenotype? | If a different version of a particular protein is made due to genetic variation, this can affect the phenotype, the observable characteristics of an organism. |
