B5 - genes, inheritance and selection Flashcards
what is the genome?
the entire genetic material of an organism
what is an allele?
- a version of a gene (also known as a variant)
- different forms of one gene
what is asexual reproduction?
a form of reproduction that only involves a single parent and creates genetically identical identical offspring
what is a chromosome?
a long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes
what is DNA?
- deoxyribonucleic acid
- a polymer that is made of two strands twisted around each other forming a double helix; it contains all the genetic information
what does diploid mean?
when a cell has a full set of chromosomes
what does dominant mean?
an allele that is always expressed when present; represented by a capital letter
what is an enzyme?
biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions
what is a gamete?
sex cell
what does haploid mean?
when a cell has half the number of chromosomes
what is mRNA?
- messenger RNA
- an RNA subtype that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes during protein synthesis
what is the nucleus?
an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells that contain the cell’s genetic material and controls the activities of the cell
what is a Punnett square?
a grid used to determine potential outcomes of a genetic cross
what does recessive mean?
an allele that is only expressed if two
what is a seedbank?
a place where seeds are preserved in order to preserve genetic diversity
what is sexual reproduction?
- reproduction that involves the fusion of male and female gametes; this method of reproduction produces genetic variation
- where genetic information from two organisms (a father and a mother) is combined to produce offspring which are genetically different to either parent
what is single gene inheritance?
inheritance of characteristics that are controlled by a single gene
what is transcription?
the unzipping of the DNA molecule around the gene, copying it to mRNA in the nucleus
what is translation?
translating the mRNA sequence to an amino acid sequence during protein synthesis
what is meiosis?
a form of cell division that produces gametes; they are not genetically identical and contain half the number of chromosomes
what is the genetic material stored in?
the nucleus
what is genetic material arranged into?
chromosomes
what is each chromosome?
one very long molecule of DNA that’s coiled up
what is a gene?
a short length of a chromosome