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BIOCHEM-test 2
MED program..BIOCHEM test 2 info
6
Biology
Graduate
06/16/2010

Additional Biology Flashcards

 


 

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Term

Molecular Biology

Definition

  • is the application of biochemistry and genetics to explain life at its most fundamental level, i.e., at the molecular level.
  • is primarily focused on the structures and functions of genes and two classes of macromolecules, nucleic acids and proteins.

 

Term
Genome
Definition

the total nucleic acid of a cell

 

 

  • contains the entire set of instructions that control development and functioning of an organism.
  • in multicellular organisms, the genome is the same in every cell (w/ a couple of exceptions); however, different cell types express different subsets of genes
  • Organized into chromosomes

 

Term
Why do medical professionals need to know molecular biology?
Definition

Modern medicine uses the analytical tools and experimental approaches of molecular biology to understand, predict, and treat diseases.

 

Examples:

 

  • clinical samples are assayed for specific DNA, RNA, and proteins associated with disease.

 

  • Drugs are designed to inhibit or activate specific DNA, RNA, and protein molecules to affect the course of diseas

 

 

Term

Human Genome

(male and female)

Definition

 

  • Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, i.e. diploid
  • Females have (essentially) two identical chromosomes/pair
  • Males have 22 identical pairs and one non-identical X and Y pair
  • Germ cells (egg and sperm) contain a single copy of each chromosome, i.e., haploid 

 

Term
Gene
Definition

segment of the genome copied into an RNA molecule

 

  • some RNA molecules are converted into proteins; other RNA molecules function as RNA

 

Term
Karyotype
Definition

a display of all the chromosomes

  • often performed on fetal tissue during pregnancy to detect chromosomal abnormalities.
  • the chromosomes are colored by binding of fluorescent dyes

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