Blood and Genetic Terminology

Allele

• Any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus.

• A type of mutation that occurs in a gene.

• A specific location on a chromosome.

• The physical expression of a gene.

Ribosome

• A cell organelle that functions as the site of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm; consists of ribosomal RNA and protein molecules and is formed by combining two subunits.

• A structure that stores genetic information in the nucleus of a cell.

• An organelle responsible for energy production through cellular respiration.

• A membrane-bound structure that transports materials within the cell.

Hematocrit

• The percent of the volume of whole blood that is composed of red blood cells as determined by separation of red blood cells from the plasma usually by centrifugation.

• The total number of white blood cells in a given volume of blood.

• The measure of the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.

• The percentage of blood volume that is made up of plasma.

Nucleotide

• A type of protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions.

• The building block of a nucleic acid, consisting of a five-carbon sugar covalently bonded to a nitrogenous base and a phosphate group.

• A lipid molecule that forms the cell membrane.

• A carbohydrate that provides energy to cells.

Protein Synthesis

• The process of breaking down proteins into amino acids.

• The creation of a protein from a DNA template.

• The conversion of RNA into DNA.

• The synthesis of carbohydrates from proteins.

Transcription

• The process of converting DNA into protein.

• The synthesis of RNA on a DNA template.

• The replication of DNA strands.

• The translation of RNA into amino acids.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

• A type of RNA synthesized from DNA that carries genetic information to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

• A type of DNA that is involved in the replication process.

• A type of protein that helps in the synthesis of RNA.

• A type of lipid that forms the cell membrane.

Codon

• A sequence of three nucleotides that codes for a specific amino acid or termination signal; the basic unit of the genetic code.

• A type of protein that helps in DNA replication.

• A single nucleotide that can represent multiple amino acids.

• A structure that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.

Hydrophilic

• Having an affinity for water.

• Repelling water.

• Being neutral to water.

• Absorbing water without dissolving.

Translation

• The process of converting DNA into RNA.

• The synthesis of a polypeptide using the genetic information encoded in an mRNA molecule. There is a change of language from nucleotides to amino acids.

• The replication of DNA strands before cell division.

• The process of synthesizing RNA from a protein template.