Glossary **new** 2004/07/07 10:30:16.603 GMT-5 2004/07/08 13:07:57.844 GMT-5 Lukasz Marek Wita lwita@tlen.pl Lukasz Marek Wita lwita@tlen.pl glossary Glossary of terms used in the course

Alphabet A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R Q S T U W X Y Z

A aaa b bla bla Cytoplasm All the contents of a cell, including the plasma membrane, but not including the nucleus. (from UCMP Glossary) DNA The chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms. (from National Human Genome Research Institute) e e f f g g h h i i j j k k l l mRNA Template for protein synthesis. Each set of three bases, called codons, specifies a certain protein in the sequence of amino acids that comprise the protein. The sequence of a strand of mRNA is based on the sequence of a complementary strand of DNA. (from National Human Genome Research Institute) Nucleus The central cell structure that houses the chromosomes. (from National Human Genome Research Institute) o o Protein A large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins perform a wide variety of activities in the cell. (from National Human Genome Research Institute) Ribosome Cellular organelle that is the site of protein synthesis (from National Human Genome Research Institute) RNA A chemical similar to a single strand of DNA. In RNA, the letter U, which stands for uracil, is substituted for T in the genetic code. RNA delivers DNA's genetic message to the cytoplasm of a cell where proteins are made. (from National Human Genome Research Institute) s s Transcription the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA; the process whereby a base sequence of messenger RNA is synthesized on a template of complementary DNA (from WordNet) Translation the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm. (from WordNet) u u w w x x y y z z