Molecular Biology Terminology

verb to release from bonds or constraints; to untie or undo

• It is important to unbind the contract before making any amendments.
• Can you help me unbind this tangled mess of cords?
• I need to unbind myself from this toxic relationship.
• Sometimes we need to unbind ourselves from our past in order to move forward.

noun a type of active transport in which a cell takes in molecules and particulate matter by engulfing them in an energy-using process

• Endocytosis is a cellular process in which substances are brought into a cell through the engulfment of the cell membrane.
• I learned in biology class that endocytosis is how cells take in nutrients.
• Endocytosis is like when a cell eats something by wrapping its membrane around it.
• Just like how endocytosis allows a cell to take in molecules, sometimes we need to absorb new information in a similar way.

noun A type of enzyme that cuts DNA at specific locations, often used in genetic engineering

• The restriction enzyme was used to cleave the DNA at specific sites.
• We used the restriction enzyme to cut the DNA into smaller pieces.
• We zapped the DNA with the restriction enzyme to chop it up.
• The restriction enzyme acted like molecular scissors, snipping the DNA into fragments.

noun a chemical compound consisting of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with a pyrophosphate group removed

• Adenylpyrophosphate is an important molecule in biochemistry for energy transfer.
• I heard that adenylpyrophosphate is used in some biochemical reactions.
• Yo, do you know what adenylpyrophosphate does in the body?
• Just like how adenylpyrophosphate powers cells, determination powers success.

noun a substance that is an intermediate in the synthesis of ATP

• Adenylpyrophosphoric acid is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of ATP.
• Scientists use adenylpyrophosphoric acid to study energy production in cells.
• I heard that adenylpyrophosphoric acid is like the boss of all the energy molecules.
• Her determination was like adenylpyrophosphoric acid, fueling her success in the competition.