How Traits Change

Front

Trait Noun

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[trayt]

Back

Trait

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A specific characteristic of an organism, such as eye color or height, which can be determined by its genes.

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Example: Shows different eye colors as traits determined by genes.

Front

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) Noun

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[dee-ok-see-ry-boh-noo-klay-ik as-id]

Back

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

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An organism's genetic material that carries instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction in all known living organisms.

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Example: The image shows DNA's double helix structure with labeled base pairs, explaining how genetic information is stored.

Front

Gene Noun

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[jeen]

Back

Gene

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A segment of DNA on a chromosome that provides directions for a cell to assemble molecules that express traits.

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Example: The image shows how a gene is a part of DNA on a chromosome inside a cell's nucleus.

Front

Chromosome Noun

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[kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Chromosome

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A structure in a cell's nucleus made of proteins and DNA that carries an organism's genetic information.

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Example: A chromosome inside a cell's nucleus, showing its DNA structure and genetic information.

Front

Double helix Noun

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[duhb-uhl hee-liks]

Back

Double helix

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The twisted-zipper or spiral staircase shape of a DNA molecule, formed by two intertwined strands of nucleotides.

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Example: The image shows the twisted ladder shape of DNA, highlighting base pairs and the sugar-phosphate backbone.

Front

Nucleotide Noun

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[noo-klee-oh-tahyd]

Back

Nucleotide

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A molecule that is a building block of DNA and RNA, made of a nitrogen base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

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Example: The image shows a nucleotide's parts: phosphate, sugar, and nitrogen base, clearly labeled for easy learning.

Front

Nitrogen base Noun

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[nahy-truh-juhn beys]

Back

Nitrogen base

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A molecule containing nitrogen that is a fundamental component of nucleotides, forming the basis of the genetic code.

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Example: This image shows how nitrogen bases pair up in DNA, forming the genetic code.

Front

Replication Noun

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[rep-li-kay-shuhn]

Back

Replication

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The biological process of copying a DNA molecule to make another identical DNA molecule before cell division occurs.

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Example: The image shows how DNA replication creates two identical DNA strands from one original strand.

Front

Protein Noun

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[proh-teen]

Back

Protein

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A large, complex molecule made of amino acids, essential for every cellular process and for expressing genetic traits.

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Example: Amino acids link to form peptides, which fold into proteins, showing protein structure.

Front

RNA (Ribonucleic acid) Noun

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[ry-boh-noo-klay-ik as-id]

Back

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

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A type of nucleic acid that carries the code for making proteins from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

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Example: The image shows RNA moving from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, illustrating its role in protein synthesis.