DNA

Front

Genome Noun

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[jee-nohm]

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Genome

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The complete set of an organism's genetic material, containing all the information needed for it to develop and function.

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Example: This image shows a human karyotype, the complete set of 23 pairs of chromosomes from a cell, which contains the entire genome.

Front

Chromosome Noun

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[kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Chromosome

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A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

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Example: This image shows that a chromosome is a structure found inside a cell's nucleus and is made of tightly coiled DNA.

Front

Gene Noun

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[jeen]

Back

Gene

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A specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity, coding for a protein.

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Example: This diagram shows that a gene is a specific section of a long DNA molecule, which is tightly packed into a chromosome inside a cell's nucleus.

Front

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Noun

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[dee-ok-see-rahy-boh-noo-klee-ik as-id]

Back

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

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A self-replicating macromolecule that carries the genetic instructions for an organism's development, functioning, growth, and reproduction.

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Example: This diagram shows DNA's double helix structure, made of a sugar-phosphate backbone and pairs of nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

Front

Nucleic Acid Noun

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[noo-klee-ik as-id]

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Nucleic Acid

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A complex organic substance, such as DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain.

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Example: This image shows that a nucleotide, the building block of nucleic acids like DNA, is made of three parts: a phosphate, a sugar, and a base.

Front

Macromolecule Noun

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[mak-roh-mol-i-kyool]

Back

Macromolecule

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A very large molecule, such as a protein or nucleic acid, composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows the four main types of macromolecules, including DNA, are large molecules built from smaller repeating units called monomers.

Front

Eukaryote Noun

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[yoo-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Eukaryote

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An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes, which prokaryotes lack.

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Example: A eukaryote is a cell with a nucleus. This diagram shows the nucleus, where the cell's DNA is stored as chromatin threads.

Front

Prokaryote Noun

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[proh-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Prokaryote

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A microscopic single-celled organism which has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized membrane-bound organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows a prokaryote (bacterium), a simple cell where the DNA is located in a central region called the nucleoid, not inside a nucleus.

Front

Nucleotide Noun

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[noo-klee-uh-tahyd]

Back

Nucleotide

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The basic building block of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

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Example: This diagram shows a nucleotide, the building block of DNA, is made of three parts: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Front

Polymer Noun

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[pol-uh-mer]

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Polymer

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A large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits known as monomers chemically bonded in a long chain.

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Example: This diagram shows a polymer as a long chain made of repeating smaller units, called monomers, but uses a synthetic plastic instead of a biological example like DNA.