This is an evolving document. It is currently under construction and is placed here mainly to hold the spot while we work on it. We'll be adding many more terms over the next few weeks.
One of a large group of organic compounds in which the molecule contains an amino group (NH2) and a carboxyl group (COOH).
Chromosome: Thread like strings composed of DNA and protein. There are several in the nucleus of the cells of eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi and protists (single celled eukaryote organisms).
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid. A substance present in the cells of every living thing which encodes hereditary characteristics.
Gene: The unit of heredity. A small segment of DNA, comprising a segment of a chromosome, that contains information necessary for transcition into RNA and translation into protein.
RNA: Ribonucleic Acid. A substance present in all living things in three forms, messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA which function in translating the genetic message found in DNA into proteins.