chap 2 Flashcards
what are directly observable characteristics that depend in part on the individuals genotypes?
phenotypes
what are the complex blend of genetic information that determines our species and influences all our unique characteristics?
genotypes
what are the rodlike structures in the nucleus of a cell that store and transmit genetic information?
chromosomes
what chemical substance are chromosomes made up of?
deoxyribonucleic acid
how identical is the dna of humans and chimpanzees?
95%
what looks like a twisted ladder and is composed of segments called genes?
DNA
what are segments of DNA?
genes
what sends the instructions for making a rich assortment of proteins?
protein-coding genes
what triggers chemical reactions throughout the body and are the biological foundations on which characteristics are built?
protein-coding genes
what two special cells combine to make new individuals?
gametes or sex cells
what determines the gender of the baby?
sperm
how are gametes formed?
meiosis
what process halves the number of chromosomes in cells?
meiosis
what is a cell that results when a sperm and ovum unite at conception?
zygote
true or false: sex cells are unique in that they contain only 23 chromosomes
true
identical or fraternal: frequency of this type of multiple birth is 1/350 births
identical
identical or fraternal: most common type of multiple birth
fraternal
identical or fraternal: genetically no more alike than ordinary siblings
fraternal
identical or fraternal: type of multiple birth created when a zygote duplicates and separates into two clusters of cells
identical
identical or fraternal: older maternal age, fertility drugs, and in vitro are associated with this type of multiple birth
fraternal
true or false: children of single births are often healthier and develop more rapidly than twins in the early years
true
what is each form of a gene called?
allele
what is the child if alleles from both parents are alike?
homozygous
what is the child of alleles from both parents are different?
heterozygous
will child display trait if homozygous?
yes
will child display trait if heterozygous?
depends on relationship between alleles
what commonly known recessive disorder affects the way the body breaks down proteins contained in many foods?
PKU (phenylketonuria)
how do doctors identify PKU?
blood test
what is the most common intervention to prevent harmful aspects of PKU?
diet! eliminate phenylalanine from diet
can changes in environment alter the extent that an inherited disorder influences a person’s well-being?
yes
how does PKU manifest?
baby’s mental health declines, retardation
why are serious diseases only rarely due to dominant alleles?
a child with a dominant allele will develop disease and probably die before they can reproduce
why is huntington’s disease a dominant disorder that has endured?
it is a type of dementia and the symptom onset isn’t until mid to late 30s, when they’ve already reproduced
true or false: males are more likely than females to be affected by X-linked inheritance
true, their sex chromosomes do not match
what are 2 types of x-linked disorders?
hemophilia (blood doesn’t clot)
fragile x-syndrome (intellectual disability)
how are harmful genes created?
mutation! sudden, permanent change in a dna segment
what characteristics are due to polygenic inheritance?
height, weight, intelligence, personality
what inheritance involves many genes determining the characteristic?
polygenic