Basics of Genetics

• Cell


  Basic unit of life, varies in size, performs functions vital for living organisms
• Chromosome


  DNA structure in the nucleus, contains genes, medium sized compared to DNA and cells
• Nucleus


  Cell organelle, contains DNA, controls cell activities, larger than genes, smaller than cells
• DNA molecule


  Genetic material, carries instructions for life, very small, long when stretched
• Gene


  Unit of heredity, determines traits, smaller than chromosomes, larger than nucleotides
• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)


  Contains the information that determines inherited characteristics
• DNA monomers or Nucleotides


  • Thymine
  • Adenine
  • Cytosine
  • Guanine
• Thymine can only go with Adenine
• Cytosine can only go with Guanine
• DNA always has a structure of a double helix