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Glossary
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all the organs, proteins and chemicals necessary for carrying out the innumerable functions crucial for life. Gene: The functional unit factor of inheritance. It is a portion of DNA which is a part of a chromosome within a cell nucleus. They occur in pairs, one from each parent, either the same (homozygotic) or different (heterozygotic); one may be dominant and prevent the manifestation of the other, recessive. Genes, jointly and severally, influence development of a particular character or a group of characters. They contain the instructions for making proteins (usually enzymes) and/or expression of a specific trait. A defective gene may produce a serious disease. They are subject to change by mutation. Genetic Code : The language of the genes. It is composed of an alphabet of four letters (Nucleotides) arranged in sequences of triplets each ensuring the attachment of a particular amino acid as a protein grows. The information in the code thus controls the properties of the enzymes whose actions ensure living.
Genetic Program : The set of genes in an organism determining its development and provide the standards and actions that enable it to learn how to survive.
Genotype : The inherited program of instructions that controls the development and life of an individual.
Nucleic Acids : Very long molecules containing four sorts of units, the nucleotides, arranged in series to constitute the genetic code that organize the programs of development. Nucleotides : Units of nucleic acids. Each contains : (1) one of four bases (e.g. adenoid); (2) a sugar (ribose in RNA, deoxyribose in DNA); (3) a phosphoric acid. Thousands of nucleotides are strung together by union of sugars with the acids. Each (different) sequence of these bases determines the attachment of a particular amino acid to a growing protein chain. Enzyme : A protein acting as a catalyst by virtue of its folded structure, which brings essential reactants close together by squeezing them and
