Al Dhafra Private Academy

School Year 2023-2024

Science Academic Vocabulary/ Formulas
Grade 10

Term 2

DOMAIN : Life Science

UNIT 4: Genetics

Chapter 14: RNA and Protein Synthesis

Lesson: 14.1: RNA

Vocabulary Definition / Explanation

RNA (ribonucleic acid): single-stranded nucleic acid that contains the sugar ribose

messenger RNA (mRNA): type of RNA that carries copies of instructions for the assembly of amino acids into proteins from DNA to
the rest of the cell

ribosomal RNA (rRNA): type of RNA that combines with proteins to form ribosomes

transfer RNA (tRNA): type of RNA that carries each amino acid to a ribosome during protein synthesis

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 transcription synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template

RNA polymerase enzyme that links together the growing chain of RNA nucleotides during transcription using a DNA strand as a
template

promoter specific region of a gene where RNA polymerase can bind and begin transcription

intron sequence of DNA that is not involved in coding for a protein

exon exon
expressed sequence of DNA; codes for a protein

Lesson 14.2: Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis

polypeptide long chain of amino acids that make proteins

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 genetic code collection of codons of mRNA, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid into a protein
during protein synthesis

codon group of three nucleotide bases in mRNA that specify a particular amino acid to be incorporated into a protein

translation process by which the sequence of bases of mRNA is converted into the sequence of amino acids of a protein

anticodon group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to the three bases of a codon of mRNA

Lesson 14.3: Gene Regulation and Expression

operon in prokaryotes, a group of adjacent genes that share a common operator and promoter and are transcribed into
a single mRNA

operator short DNA region, adjacent to the promoter of prokaryotic operon, that binds repressor proteins responsible for
controlling the rate of transcription of the operon

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 differentiation process by which cells become specialized in structure and function

homeotic gene a class of regulatory genes that determine the identity of body parts and regions in an embryo; mutations in
these genes can transform one body part into another

homeobox gene a DNA sequence of approximately 130 base pairs, found in many homeotic genes that regulate development.
They code for transcription factors and proteins that bind to DNA, which regulate the expression of other genes

Hox gene a group of homeotic genes clustered together to determine the head to tail identity of body parts in animals; all
Hox genes contain the homeobox DNA sequence

Lesson 14.4: Mutations

mutation change in the genetic material of a cell

point mutation gene mutation in which a single base pair in DNA has been changed

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 mutagen chemical or physical agents in the environment that interact with DNA and may cause a mutation

polyploidy condition in which an organism has extra sets of chromosomes

Chapter 16: Biotechnology

Lesson 16.2: The Process of Genetic Engineering

genetic code collection of codons of mRNA, each of which directs the incorporation of a particular amino acid into a protein
during protein synthesis

Life Sciences

UNIT 5: Evolution Chapter 17: Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Lesson 17.3: Darwin’s Theory: Natural Selection

adaptation heritable characteristics that increase an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in an environment

fitness how well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment

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 natural selection process by which organisms that are most suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully;
also called survival of the fittest

Lesson 17.4: Evidence of Evolution

biogeography study of past and present distribution of organisms

homologous structures structures that are similar in different species of common ancestors

vestigial structure structure that is inherited from ancestors but which has lost much or all of its original function

analogous structure body parts that share a common function, but not an evolutionary history

DOMAIN : Life Science

UNIT 6: Diversity of Life Chapter 22: Plants

LESSON 22.1 What Is a Plant?

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 alternation of generations life cycle that has two alternating phases—a haploid (N) phase and a diploid (2N) phase

sporophyte spore-producing plant; the multicellular diploid phase of a plant life cycle

gametophyte gamete-producing plant; multicellular haploid phase of a plant life cycle

DOMAIN :

Unit /Chapter:

Vocabulary Definition / Explanation

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 Unit /Chapter:

Vocabulary Definition / Explanation

DOMAIN :

Unit /Chapter:

Vocabulary Definition / Explanation

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