B2.7 Cell Division and Inheritance Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Where is DNA found?
In the nucleus of animal and plant cells in really long molecules called chromosomes
What is the structure of DNA?
It has a double helix structure
What is a gene?
A section of DNA - genes are found on chromosomes
What does a gene contain?
The instructions needed to make a specific protein
How does a cell make proteins?
By stringing amino acids together in a particular order - the genes tells the cells what order to put the amino acids in
Is everyone’s DNA identical?
No, almost everyone’s DNA is unique, except for identical twins
What is DNA fingerprinting?
A way of cutting up a person’s DNA into small sections and then separating them - which produces a DNA fingerprint (a pattern of bands on a gel)
Why is DNA fingerprinting possible?
Because mostly everyone as a unique fingerprint so you can identify someone by their DNA
What are two uses of DNA fingerprinting?
Paternity testing and forensic science
What are ethical/scientific issues with DNA fingerprinting? (3)
People worry about how safe their information is, and others think it is an invasion of privacy. Also, there can be false positives in the process
Why do body cells have two copies of a chromosome?
Because one comes from the mother, and the other comes from the father
How many pairs of chromosomes does a human have?
23 pairs - 46 individuals
What is mitosis?
When a cell reproduces itself by splitting to form two identical offspring
What are the uses of mitosis in animals and plants? (3)
When plants and animals want to grow, when plants and animals need to replace cells that have been damaged and in asexual reproduction
