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A gene is a hereditary unit or sequence of the nucleotide bases ACGT, occupying a fixed location or locus on the chromosome. It is these genes that carry all the information for life processes.DNA is rewritten into 3 types of RNA, each with a specific task: Messenger RNA (mRNA)carries the protein message to the cytoplasm. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the location of protein synthesis. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is responsible for amino acid transport.Each 3-base nucleotide sequence (codon) codes for a specific amino acid. Some amino acids have more than one codon to direct their placement; this is termed degeneracy.

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