bio Flashcards
alternation of generations
a life cycle where the diploid and haploid stages alternate
aneuploid
an individual with an error in chromosome number
autosome
any of the non sex chromosomes
chiasmata
the structure that forms at the crossover points
crossing over
the exchange of genetic material
diploid dominant
a life cycle where the multicellular diploid stage is widespread
euploid
an individual with the appropriate number of chromosomes
fertilization
the union of 2 haploid cells
gametophyte
a multicellular haploid life cycle that produces gametes
germ cell
a specialized cell that produces gametes
haploid dominant
a life cycle where the multicellular haploid stage is widespread
interkinesis
a period of rest that occurs between meiosis 1 and 2
karyotype
the number and appearance of an individuals chromosomes
life cycle
sequences of events
meiosis
a nuclear division process that results in 4 haploid cells
nondisjunction
the failure of the homologous to completely separate
polyploid
individual with an incorrect number of chromosome sets
recombinant
describing something composed of genetic material from 2 sources
somatic cell
all the cells of a multicellular organism except gamete forming cells
synapsis
formation of close association between homologous chromosomes
tetrad
2 duplicated homologous chromosomes held together
trisomy
a diploid genotype where the entire chromosome is duplicated
allele
1 of 2 or more variants of a gene
codominance
in a heterozygote; results in the presence of both traits
dihybrid
the result of a cross between 2 true-breeding parents
dominant
a trait that masks the expression of another trait
genotype
the genetic makeup or composition of an organism
heterozygous
having 2 DIFFERENT alleles
homozygous
having 2 IDENTICAL alleles
hybridization
the process of mating 2 different individuals
law of dominance
one trait will conceal the presence of another trait
law of independent assortment
genes do not influence each other
law of segregation
paired unit factors separate equally into gametes
monohybrid
the result of a cross between 2 true-breeding parents that express different traits
punnett square
a representation of a cross between 2 individuals
recessive
a trait whose expression is masked by another trait
recombination
the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis
trait
a variation in an inherited characteristic
codon
three consecutive nucleotides in mRNA
deoxyribose
a 5-carbon sugar molecule with a hydrogen atom
DNA ligase
the enzyme that catalyzes the joining of DNA fragments together
DNA polymerase
an enzyme that synthesizes a new strand of DNA complementary to a template strand
exon
a sequence in protein-coding mRNA
gene expression
processes that control wether a gene is expressed
genetic code
the amino acids that correspond to 3 nucleotide codons of mRNA
helicase
an enzyme that helps to open up the DNA helix during DNA replication
lagging strand
the strand that is replicated in short fragments and away from the replication fork
leading strand
the strand that is made continuously
mRNA
messenger RNA
mutation
a permanent variation in the nucleotide sequence of a genome
nontemplate strand
the strand of DNA that isn’t used to describe mRNA
Okazaki fragments
the DNA fragments that are made in short pieces on the lagging strand
primer
a short stretch of RNA nucleotides that starts the replication
promoter
a sequence of DNA
replication fork
the Y shaped structure formed during the initiation of replication
RNA polymerase
an enzyme that synthesizes an RNA strand from a DNA template strand
rRNA
ribosomal RNA
start codon
the AUG on an mRNA
stop codon
one of the three mRNA codons
telomerase
an enzyme that contains a catalytic part and inbuilt RNA template
telomere
the DNA at the end of linear chromosomes
template strand
the strand of DNA that specifies the complementary mRNA molecule
tRNA
transfer RNA
transcription bubble
the region of locally unwound DNA that allows mRNA transcription
anneal
when 2 single strands of DNA hydrogen bond at complementary nucleotides
biotechnology
the use of artificial methods to modify the genetic material of living organisms
cloning
making an exact copy of something
gel electrophoresis
a technique used to separate molecules
gene therapy
the technique used to cure heritable diseases
genetic engineering
alteration of the genetic makeup of an organism
genetic map
an outline of genes and their location on a chromosome
genetic testing
identifying gene variants in an individual
genetically modified organisms (GMO)
an organism whos genome has been artificially changed
genomics
the study of entire genomes
plasmid
a small circular molecule of DNA in bacteria
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
a technique used to make multiple copies of DNA
recombinant DNA
a combination of DNA fragments generated by molecular cloning
recombinant protein
a protein that is expressed from recombinant DNA molecules
adrenal gland
the gland associated with the kidneys
alveolus (alveoli)
an air sac in the lungs
amygdala
a structure in the limbic system that processes fear
amylase
an enzyme found in the saliva
anus
the exit point of the digestive system for waste material
aorta
the major artery that takes blood away from the heart and into the circulatory systems
artery
a blood vessel that takes blood away from the heart
atrium (atria)
a chamber of the heart the receives blood from the veins
axon
tube-like structure that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons
bile
a digestive juice produced by the liver
bolus
a mass of food resulting from chewing action and wetting by saliva
brainstem
a portion of the brain that connects with the spinal cord
bronchi (bronchus)
smaller branches of cartilaginous tissue
bronchiole
the airway the extendes from the bronchus to the alveolar sac
capillary
the smallest blood vessel that allows the passage of blood cells
central nervous system (CNS)
the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord
cerebellum
the brain structure involved in posture, motor coordination, and learning new motor actions
chyme
a mixture of partially digested food and stomach gases
colon
the largest portion of the large intestine
diaphragm
a skeletal muscle located under lungs
ectotherm
an organism that relies on environmental heat sources to maintain body temperatures
endocrine gland
the gland that produces hormones into the surrounding fluids
endotherm
an organism that relies on internal heat sources to maintain body temperature
esophagus
a tubular organ that connects the mouth to the stomach
exocrine gland
the gland that produces chemicals
frontal lube
part of the cerebral cortex that contains the motor cortex
gallbladder
organ that stores and concentrates bile
glia
cells that provide support functions for neurons
hormone
a chemical released by cells in one area of the body
hypothalamus
brain structure that controls hormone release and body homeostasis
joint
the point at which 2 or more bones meet
kidney
the organ that performs essential functions in the body
large intestine
a digestive system organ that reabsorbs water
larynx
the voice box in the throat
liver
organ that produces bile for digestion
myofibril
the long cylindrical structures that like parallel to the muscle fiber
myofilaments
the small structures that make up myofibrils
nasal cavity
an opening of the respiratory system
neuron
a specialized cell that receives and transmits electrical and chemical signals
oral cavity
the point of entry of food into th digestive system
pancreas
gland that produces digestive juices
pancreas
organ located between the stomach and small intestine
parathyroid gland
the gland located on the surface of the thyroid
pharynx
the throat
rectum
the area of the body where feces is stored until elimination
salivary gland
one of the 3 pairs of exocrine glands
sarcolemma
the plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle fiber
sarcomere
the functional unit of skeletal muscle
small intestine
the organ where digestion of protein, fats, and carbohydrates is completed
spinal cord
a thick fiber bundle that connects the brain with the peripheral nerves
stomach
a saclike organ containing acidic fluids
synapse
a junction between 2 eurons
thyroid gland
an endocrine gland located in the neck
trachea
tube-like structure that connects the larynx to the bronchi
ventricle
a large chamber of the heart that pumps blood into arteries
