MGSLG. (2020). Module 1. Terms and definitions
- In every lesson identify new terms/concepts and write it on the board.
- Learners will take down terms/concepts at the back of their notebooks noting the correct spelling.
- Learners must define/write down the meaning of these words from listening to the educators lesson/finding meaning from the dictionary or textbook.
- Break down the concept/term where possible- give the meaning of the prefix and suffix e.g. photo(light) synthesis (to build up).
- Use the concept in a sentence.
- Educator checks that learners have done the above, on a daily basis e.g. ask any learner to define a concept.
- By the end of the year ALL learners have a comprehensive GLOSSARY of ALL terms /concepts.
- ASSESSMENT: Biological terms to be included in all daily assessment tasks. Develop crossword puzzles. (Use various websites from internet e.g. eclipse)
- Learning terminology also helps in answering MCQs and matching questions, etc.
|
Term |
Meaning/Definition |
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Base pairing |
Adenine (A) always bonds to thymine (T) and guanine (G) with cytosine (C) in DNA molecule, to ensure the precision of DNA replication |
|
Chromatin |
Tangled network of chromosomes located within the nucleus |
|
Chromatid |
The individual threads that form a chromosome |
|
Centromere |
Structure joining two threads of a chromosome |
|
Chromosome |
A structure made up of two chromatids joined by a centromere that carries the hereditary characteristics within the DNA |
|
Chromatin network
|
Visible as thread-like structures in the nucleus of an inactive cell |
|
Nucleolus |
Structure in the nucleus responsible for forming ribosomal RNA |
|
Nucleoplasm |
That part of the protoplasm within the nucleus |
|
Cytoplasm |
That part of the protoplasm outside the nucleus. |
|
Ribosome |
Structure that is the site of protein synthesis |
|
Gene |
Segment of a chromosome that controls each characteristic/ a unit of sequenced pieces of DNA that carry the genetic information that will determine the hereditary characteristics of an organism. |
|
Hereditary |
Characteristics that are passed from parents to offspring |
|
DNA |
Nucleic acid that is a constituent of chromosomes |
|
Helix |
Natural shape of a DNA molecule |
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RNA |
Type of nucleic acid that occurs as a single strand / nucleic acid that contains uracil |
|
Nucleotide |
Building blocks of nucleic acids consisting of a sugar, a base and a phosphate |
|
Replication |
The formation of an exact copy of the DNA in a cell |
|
Template |
The original strand upon which a new strand is developed |
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Complementary strand |
The new strand that is made based on the sequence of nucleotides on the template |
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Cytosine |
The base that pairs off with guanine |
|
Thymine |
The base that pairs off with adenine |
|
Uracil |
The base found in RNA and not DNA |
|
Hydrogen bonds |
The chemical bonds which link base pairs in the DNA molecule |
|
DNA: |
(Deoxyribonucleic acid) forms the chromosomes in the nuclei of all living cells and carries the hereditary information of the organism. The DNA molecule is a double helix (twisted) strand. |
|
DNA Replication |
Process involving the formation of two new identical DNA molecules from an original DNA. |
|
Enzyme |
A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction / a catalyst |
|
Codon |
The three adjacent bases found on a DNA or m-RNA molecule |
|
Anticodon |
The three adjacent bases found on a t-RNA molecule that will determine which amino acid will be brought to the ribosome |
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Transcription |
The synthesis of m-RNA from a DNA template |
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Translation |
The process of converting the information carried by m-RNA to the correct sequence of amino acids to form a particular protein |
|
RNA |
(Ribose nucleic acid) a single strand, located in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. The RNA molecule is always a single strand of nucleotides. Remember that the RNA contains Uracil instead of Thymine (A, G, C and U). RNA is responsible for protein synthesis. |
|
Synthesis |
Building up of separate parts into a whole |
|
Amino acid |
The basic building block of a protein molecule |
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Peptide link |
A link between two adjacent amino acids |
|
Monomer |
A single unit that makes up a larger molecule |
|
Polymer |
A large molecule which is formed from many small molecules (monomers) |
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Mutation |
A sudden and relatively permanent gene / chromosomal change |
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Mitochondrial DNA |
The type of DNA found only in the mitochondrion |
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Messenger RNA (mrna): |
Responsible for carrying the genetic code that is transcribed from DNA, to specialized sites of the ribosomes where the information is translated for protein synthesis |
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Nitrogenous bases: |
This is a nitrogen containing molecules viz. Adenine, (A); Thymine (T); Guanine (G); Cytosine (C) and Uracil (U). |
|
Nucleotide: |
The building block (monomers) of RNA and DNA. Each nucleotide consists of a pentose sugar, a phosphate ion and a nitrogenous base. |
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Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) |
Form the ribosomes and produce the proteins, based on the information received from the tRNA |
|
Transfer RNA (tRNA) |
Has anticodons, which codes for a specific amino acid. The anticodons are complementary to the mRNA codon, during the production of proteins. |
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Genome |
All the genes present in an organism |