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| General term for an enzyme that catalyzes addition of subunits to a polymer. DNA polymerase, for example, makes DNA, and RNA polymerase makes RNA. |
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| Collective term for the enzymatic processes that correct deleterious changes affecting the continuity or sequence of a DNA molecule. |
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| The process by which a copy of a DNA molecule is made. |
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| Genetic exchange between a pair of identical or very similar DNA sequences, typically located on a pair of homologous chromosomes. A similar process is used to repair double-strand breaks in DNA. |
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| One of the two newly made strands of DNA found at a replication fork. The lagging strand is made in discontinuous lengths that are later joined covalently. |
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| One of the two newly made strands of DNA found at a replication fork. The leading strand is made by continuous synthesis in the 5' to 3' direction. |
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| Short segment of DNA that can move, sometimes through an RNA intermediate, from one location in a genome to another. They are an important source of genetic variation in most genomes. |
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| A randomly produced, heritable change in the nucleotide sequence of a chromosome. |
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| Mechanism for repairing double-strand breaks in DNA in which the two broken ends are brought together and rejoined without requiring sequence homology. |
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| nonhomologous end-joining |
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| Short length of DNA produced on the lagging strand during DNA replication. Adjacent fragments are rapidly joined together by DNA ligase to form a continuous DNA strand. |
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| The process by which DNA polymerase corrects its own errors as it moves along DNA. |
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| Y-shaped region of a replicating DNA molecule at which the two daughter strands are formed and separate. |
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| Site on a chromosome at which DNA replication begins. |
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| Type of mobile genetic element that moves by being first transcribed into an RNA copy that is reconverted to DNA by reverse transcriptase and inserted elsewhere in the chromosomes. |
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| RNA-containing virus that replicates in a cell by first making a double-stranded DNA intermediate. This DNA is inserted into the cell's chromosome, where it can be maintained for a long time and is transcribed to produce new viral genomes and mRNA's that encode viral proteins. |
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| Enzyme that makes a double-stranded DNA copy from a single-stranded RNA template molecule. Present in retroviruses and as part of the transposition machinery of retrotransposons. |
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| A single-stranded polynucleotide in the form of a chain of covalently linked ribonucleotide subunits. It is synthesized when an RNA polymerase copies the nucleotide sequence of DNA. RNA serves a variety of functions in cells. |
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| Enzyme that elongates telomeres, the repetitive nucleotide sequences found at the ends of eucaryotic chromosomes. |
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| A molecular structure that serves as a pattern for the production of other molecules. Thus, a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA can act as a template to direct the synthesis of a new strand of complementary DNA. |
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| General name for short segments of DNA that can move from one location to another in the genome. Also known as mobile genetic element. |
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| Particle consisting of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) enclosed in a protein coat and capable of replicating within a host cell and spreading from cell to cell. Often the cause of disease. |
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