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DNA repair
DNA repair The body has a series of special enzymes to repair mutations (changes) in the DNA and restore the DNA to its original state. The DNA in genes is constantly mutating and being repaired. This repair process is controlled by special genes. A mutation in a DNA repair gene can cripple the repair process and cause a cascade of unrepaired mutations in the genome that lead to cancer.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Enzymes
Proteins that act as a catalysts in mediating and speeding a specific chemical reaction.
Genes
Basic, functional units of heredity, each occupying a specific place on a chromosome.
Mutation
A change in DNA that alters a gene and thus the gene's product, leading in some cases to deformity or disease. Mutations can occur spontaneously during cell division or can be triggered by environmental stresses, such as sunlight, radiation, and chemicals.
Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.
Cripple
1. A person who is lame or disabled. 2. To maim or disable a person.
Cascade
A sequence of successive activation reactions involving enzymes (enzyme cascade) or hormones (hormone cascade) characterized by a series of amplifications of an initial stimulus. In blood coagulation, for example, each enzyme activates the next until the final product, the fibrin clot, is reached.
Genome
The complete genetic material of an organism.
Cancer
Any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Any of various acids that are found in cell nuclei and are the principal components of chromosomes; the molecular basis of heredity.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
A chemical substance in plant and animal cells that tells the cells what to do and when to do it. DNA is the information about what each person inherits from his or her parents.
DNA amplification
The production of multiple copies of a sequence of DNA. Repeated copying of a piece of DNA. DNA amplification plays a role in cancer cells. A tumor cell amplifies, or copies, DNA segments as a result of cell signals and sometimes environmental events. Amplification can occur in vivo (in the living individual) or in vitro (literally "in glass", or in a plastic vessel in the laboratory).
DNA assembly
The process of putting fragments of DNA that have been sequenced into their correct chromosomal positions. The pieces of DNA are assembled to reconstitute the sequence of the chromosome from which they came.
DNA cloning
The use of DNA manipulation procedures to produce multiple copies of a single gene or segment of DNA.
DNA forensics
The application of DNA technology and the knowledge of DNA genetics to the practice of forensic medicine and to the power of legal medicine. Crime scene investigation has been markedly changed -- some would say revolutionized -- by the advent of DNA forensics. This has led to the invention of devices for DNA forensics. One is a plate of glass about the size of a hand is etched with very thin channels and reservoirs. A minute sample of DNA is moved between reservoir and channel through timed electric pulses. These thin channels then act like capillary tubes and can resolve the constituents of this minute sample of DNA. At the crime scene, the forensic technician can perform the PCR reactions for DNA fingerprinting and immediately resolve the samples on the glass plate. What normally would take more than a day, once the sample is taken to the laboratory, now takes only a few hours at the crime scene.
DNA methylation
A biochemical process involving the addition of chemical tags called methyl groups (-CH3) to DNA. Methylation can be a signal for a gene or a section of a chromosome to turn off gene expression and become inactive or "silent".
DNA molecules, recombinant
A combination of DNA molecules of different origin that are joined using recombinant DNA technology.
DNA polymerase
Enzyme that catalyzes (speeds) the polymerization of DNA. DNA polymerase uses preexisting nucleic acid templates and assembles the DNA from deoxyribonucleotides.
DNA repair gene
A gene engaged in DNA repair. When a DNA repair gene is impaired, mutations pile up throughout the DNA. The DNA in genes is constantly mutating and being repaired. This repair process is controlled by special genes. A mutation in a DNA repair gene can cripple the repair process and cause a cascade of unrepaired mutations in the genome that lead to cancer.
DNA repair gene, Med1
A gene that codes for one of the key enzymes involved in repairing DNA. The DNA in genes is constantly mutating and being repaired. This repair process is controlled by special genes. A mutation in a DNA repair gene such as Med1 can cripple the repair process and cause a cascade of unrepaired mutations in the genome that lead to cancer.
DNA repair pathway
The sequence of steps in the repair of DNA. Each step is governed by an enzyme.
DNA replication
A wondrous complex process whereby the ("parent") strands of DNA in the double helix are separated and each one is copied to produce a new ("daughter") strand. This process is said to be "semi-conservative" since one of each parent strand is conserved and remains intact after replication has taken place.
DNA sequence
The precise ordering of the bases (A,T,G,C) from which the DNA is composed. DNA sequencing involves determining the exact order of the base pairs in a segment of DNA.
DNA sequence, draft
Sequence of a DNA with less accuracy than a finished sequence. In a draft sequence, some segments are missing or are in the wrong order or are oriented incorrectly. A draft sequence is as opposed to a finished DNA sequence.
DNA sequence, finished
A DNA sequence in which the bases are identified to an accuracy of no more than 1 error in 10,000 and are placed in the right order and orientation along a chromosome with almost no gaps. A finished sequence is as opposed to a draft DNA sequence.
DNA technology, recombinant
A series of procedures used to join together (recombine) DNA segments. A recombinant DNA molecule is constructed (recombined) from segments from 2 or more different DNA molecules. Under certain conditions, a recombinant DNA molecule can enter a cell and replicate there, autonomously (on its own) or after it has become integrated into a chromosome.
DNA virus
A virus in which the genetic material is DNA rather than RNA. The DNA may be either double- or single-stranded. Major groups of double-stranded DNA viruses (class I viruses) include the adenoviruses, the herpes viruses, and the poxviruses. Major groups of single-stranded DNA viruses (class II viruses) include the parvoviruses and coliphages.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
DNA assembly
The process of putting fragments of DNA that have been sequenced into their correct chromosomal positions. The pieces of DNA are assembled to reconstitute the sequence of the chromosome from which they came.
DNA cloning
The use of DNA manipulation procedures to produce multiple copies of a single gene or segment of DNA.
DNA forensics
The application of DNA technology and the knowledge of DNA genetics to the practice of forensic medicine and to the power of legal medicine. Crime scene investigation has been markedly changed -- some would say revolutionized -- by the advent of DNA forensics. This has led to the invention of devices for DNA forensics. One is a plate of glass about the size of a hand is etched with very thin channels and reservoirs. A minute sample of DNA is moved between reservoir and channel through timed electric pulses. These thin channels then act like capillary tubes and can resolve the constituents of this minute sample of DNA. At the crime scene, the forensic technician can perform the PCR reactions for DNA fingerprinting and immediately resolve the samples on the glass plate. What normally would take more than a day, once the sample is taken to the laboratory, now takes only a few hours at the crime scene.
DNA molecules, recombinant
A combination of DNA molecules of different origin that are joined using recombinant DNA technology.
DNA polymerase
Enzyme that catalyzes (speeds) the polymerization of DNA. DNA polymerase uses preexisting nucleic acid templates and assembles the DNA from deoxyribonucleotides.
DNA repair
DNA repair gene
A gene engaged in DNA repair. When a DNA repair gene is impaired, mutations pile up throughout the DNA. The DNA in genes is constantly mutating and being repaired. This repair process is controlled by special genes. A mutation in a DNA repair gene can cripple the repair process and cause a cascade of unrepaired mutations in the genome that lead to cancer.
DNA repair gene, Med1
A gene that codes for one of the key enzymes involved in repairing DNA. The DNA in genes is constantly mutating and being repaired. This repair process is controlled by special genes. A mutation in a DNA repair gene such as Med1 can cripple the repair process and cause a cascade of unrepaired mutations in the genome that lead to cancer.
DNA repair pathway
The sequence of steps in the repair of DNA. Each step is governed by an enzyme.
DNA replication
A wondrous complex process whereby the ("parent") strands of DNA in the double helix are separated and each one is copied to produce a new ("daughter") strand. This process is said to be "semi-conservative" since one of each parent strand is conserved and remains intact after replication has taken place.
DNA sequence
The precise ordering of the bases (A,T,G,C) from which the DNA is composed. DNA sequencing involves determining the exact order of the base pairs in a segment of DNA.
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