9A- Genetics Key Words Flashcards
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Chromosome
Large molecule of tightly packed, DNA
Double helix
The spiral structure of DNA
Hydrogen bond
A bond between the bases of two DNA strands
Bases
Molecules in the centre of the DNA structure
Complimentary bases pairs
Adenine+Thymine, Guanine+Cytosine (A+T, G+C)
Gene
A section of DNA
Rosalind Franklin
Pioneering female scientist that played a major role in the discovering the structure of DNA (only recently credited for her work)
Precipitate
When a solid is formed during a chemical reaction
Variation
Difference between organisms
Characteristics
A quality, trait or feature on an individual organism
Genetic variation
Variation that is caused by genes
Environmental variation
Variation caused by the environment
Mutation
A change in the DNA sequence
Continuous variation
Variation that can be any value within a given range
Discontinuous variation
Variation that can only have a set value
Physical adaptation
Adaptations to an organism body that help it survive in their environment.
Easy definition: a body part or feature that helps an organism survive in its environment
Behavioural adaptations
Something that an animal does in response to its environment to help it survive
Competition
When organisms will compete for food, water, space and mates
Evolution
How living things change over time
Natural selection
The process by which a species changes over time in response to the environment or competition.
Easy definition: a mechanism of evolution
Charles Darwin
The ecologist, who introduced the theory of evolution.
Selection pressure
Factors an organism faces in its environment that impact Its likelihood of survival.
Niche
The role an organism has within its environment
Habitat
Where an organism lives
