Deoxyribonucleic Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Deoxyribonucleic and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Amphoteric An amphoteric molecule has the ability to be negatively or positively charged. Changing the pH using buffers will alter the charge and magnitude of the charge. A molecule with this amphoteric ability is sometimes referred to as an ampholyte or even by the older term, zwitterion.Proteins with their ionizable amino and carboxyl groups are amphoteric. Nucleic acids (deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA and ribonucleic acid or RNA) are charged and thus are amphoteric. | View Page |
| Basis of Molecular Testing The basis of molecular testing lies in the genetic material of a cell. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells possess nucleic acid. The two types of nucleic acid include deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The foundational building blocks of both DNA and RNA include nucleotide bases of purines and pyrimidines. The unique sequencing of these nucleotide bases found in each strand of DNA or RNA contribute significantly to the language of cells. This cellular based language is responsible for many complex activities within the human body, including the synthesis of proteins. | View Page |
| Terms and Definitions Term Definition Codon A three nucleotide base sequence that codes for an amino acid Genome The genetic code composed of 64 codons that code for 21 amino acids and 3 stop codons. (amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and stop codons stop the writing process much like a period at the end of a sentence) Nucleic acid Polymer made of monomers; two examples are RNA and DNA Transcription Process of transferring information from DNA into an RNA message Translation The formation of an amino acid from RNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) A double-stranded polymer of nucleotides that houses genetic information Ribonucleic acid (RNA) Typically a single-stranded polymer that is much shorter than DNA but chemically similar with a few differences (e.g.- uracil replaces thymine). Replication Reproduction of DNA content from parent to daughter cell during cell division Amplification methods Techniques that increase the amount of the target, the detection signal, or the probe so that sequences are readily detected Fluorescence The emission of light at a longer wavelength when the light is excited at a shorter wavelength Oligonucleotide Short single-stranded nucleic acid Probe A nucleic acid used to identify a hybridization target Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) An amplification method performed in vitro | View Page |
| Macrocytes Macrocytes have a diameter of 9-14 microns (1.5 to 2 times larger than normal red cells) and the MCV is 100 fL or more. Several macrocytes are indicated by the arrows in this image. By comparison, macrocytes are larger than the nucleus of a normal lymphocyte. Macrocytes are frequently oval; two examples are indicated by the red arrows.Macrocytes are usually present in vitamin B12 and/or folic acid deficiencies. Decreased DNA synthesis causes the nucleus in the developing red cells to mature at a slower than normal rate. Since hemoglobin production is not affected, the mature red cell that is larger than normal is filled with hemoglobin, resulting in cells with little central pallor. Macrocytes are sometimes referred to as megalocytes. | View Page |
| Hypersegmentation A normal mature neutrophil is 9-13 microns in diameter and contains 3-5 lobes or segments.When the number of segments is increased to six or more the cell is hypersegmented. Some hypersegmented cells will be larger than in 15 microns. Hypersegmentation is seen most frequently in neutrophils but can also occur in eosinophils and basophils. The nuclear segments are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). A defect in the production of DNA causes the maturation process to be slower than normal which in turn causes the nucleus to hypersegment. The cytoplasm will be normal in appearance and function, indicating that these cells are capable of phagocytosis.These cells are considered pathological | View Page |