20 - Patterns of inheritance and variation Flashcards
What is chlorosis?
When cells are not producing the normal
amount of chlorophyll (a green pigment
essential for photosynthesis), plants with this condition look pale or yellow. The plants ability to photosynthesis is reduced
What are 3 examples of environmental factors that cause chlorosis?
lack of light
Mineral deficiencies
Virus infections
Why does a lack of light cause chlorosis?
when plants are in an absence of light thy turn of chlorophyll production, to conserve
resources.
why does mineral deficiencies cause chlorosis?
A plant will be unable to produce chlorophyll if there are mineral deficiencies. For example iron is needed as a cofactor by some enzymes that make chlorophyll, magnesium forms the core of the chlorophyll molecule
Why does a virus infection cause chlorosis?
when a plant is infected by a virus it interferes with the metabolism of cells
How does animal body mass vary?
it is determined by both genetic and
environmental factors. The amount and quantity of food eaten and quantity of exercise can affect body mass.
mutations can also affect body mass
What influences the characteristics an organism displays?
the individual mixture of alleles an organism inherits
How is the mixture of alleles an organism
inherits determined?
the random fusion of gametes and sexual
reproduction
What is genotype?
The genetic make-up of an organism, or the
particular alleles that an organism possesses
What is phenotype?
Observable characteristics of an organism
What are modifications?
Changes the environment makes on a persons phenotype
What is a dominant allele?
an allele that is always expressed present in an organism’s genome
what is a recessive allele?
an allele that is only expressed if 2 copies are present in an organism’s genome
What is continuous variation, give an example, how is it caused and what is its genetic control?
a characteristic that can take any value within a range
it is caused by genetics and environment
Polygenes - controlled by a number of genes
Leaf surface area, animal mass, skin colour
What is discontinuous variation, give an
example, how is it caused and what is its genetic control?
characteristic that can only appear in specific, discrete, values.
it is caused by mostly genetics
one or two genes
blood group, albinism, round or wrinkled pea shape
Steps for performing a genetic cross?
Step 1: State the phenotype of both
parents.
Step 2: State the genotype of both parents.
Step 3: State the possible gametes that can
come from each parent. It is good practice
to circle the letters of the gametes.
Step 4: Perform the genetic cross (either
via a genetic diagram or Punnett square)
to determine the potential genotypes of
the offspring.
Step 5: State the proportion of each
genotype produced.
Step 6: State the corresponding phenotype of each possible genotype
What is co-dominance?
Both alleles are expressed in the phenotype, neither are recessive
How do you represent co-dominant alleles?
a letter is chosen to represent the gene, and a second letter is used as a superscript to represent the different versions.
What is different between the X and Y
chromosome?
The Y chromosome is smaller than the X
chromosome. It codes for fewer genes.
This means that most genes on sex
chromosomes are only carried on the X
chromosome. and that is contains many
genes not involved in sexual development