How to view tiny parts of DNA? Make them ‘blink’ – Science News for Students (blog)

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annualAdjective for something that happens in every year. (in botany) A plant that lives only one year, so it usually has a showy flower and produces many seeds.

biomedicalHaving to do with medicine and how it interacts with cells or tissues.

biomedical engineerAn expert who uses science and math to find solutions to problems in biology and medicine; for example, they might create medical devices such as artificial knees.

cellThe smallest structural and functional unit of an organism. Typically too small to see with the naked eye, it consists of watery fluid surrounded by a membrane or wall. Animals are made of anywhere from thousands to trillions of cells, depending on their size. Some organisms, such as yeasts, molds, bacteria and some algae, are composed of only one cell.

chemicalA substance formed from two or more atoms that unite (become bonded together) in a fixed proportion and structure. For example, water is a chemical made of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Its chemical symbol is H2O. Chemical can also be an adjective that describes properties of materials that are the result of various reactions between different compounds.

chromosomeA single threadlike piece of coiled DNA found in a cells nucleus. A chromosome is generally X-shaped in animals and plants. Some segments of DNA in a chromosome are genes. Other segments of DNA in a chromosome are landing pads for proteins. The function of other segments of DNA in chromosomes is still not fully understood by scientists.

DNA(short for deoxyribonucleic acid) A long, double-stranded and spiral-shaped molecule inside most living cells that carries genetic instructions. It is built on a backbone of phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon atoms. In all living things, from plants and animals to microbes, these instructions tell cells which molecules to make.

engineerA person who uses science to solve problems. As a verb, to engineer means to design a device, material or process that will solve some problem or unmet need.

fluorescentCapable of absorbing and reemitting light. That reemitted light is known as a fluorescence .

geneticHaving to do with chromosomes, DNA and the genes contained within DNA. The field of science dealing with these biological instructions is known as genetics. People who work in this field are geneticists.

life cycleThe succession of stages that occur as an organism grows, develops, reproduces and then eventually ages and dies.

moleculeAn electrically neutral group of atoms that represents the smallest possible amount of a chemical compound. Molecules can be made of single types of atoms or of different types. For example, the oxygen in the air is made of two oxygen atoms (O2), but water is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O).

opticalAn adjective that refers to light or vision.

peerTo look into something, searching for details.

photonA particle representing the smallest possible amount of light or other electromagnetic radiation.

proteinCompoundmade from one or more long chains of amino acids. Proteins are an essential part of all living organisms. They form the basis of living cells, muscle and tissues; they also do the work inside of cells. The hemoglobin in blood and the antibodies that attempt to fight infections are among the better-known, stand-alone proteins. Medicines frequently work by latching onto proteins.

wavelengthThe distance between one peak and the next in a series of waves, or the distance between one trough and the next. Visible light which, like all electromagnetic radiation, travels in waves includes wavelengths between about 380 nanometers (violet) and about 740 nanometers (red). Radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light includes gamma rays, X-rays and ultraviolet light. Longer-wavelength radiation includes infrared light, microwaves and radio waves.

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How to view tiny parts of DNA? Make them 'blink' - Science News for Students (blog)