Chapter 2 - Genetics Flashcards
Gregor Mendel
Slovakian Monk who studied the variance of traits in peas between 1856-1863, notable for experiments with the coloration of peas
variants
Different forms (expressions) of a trait
crosses
Mating two individuals to produce offspring
F0 Generation
In genetic experiments, a term used to refer to the original (founding) generation
F1 Generation
In genetic experiments, the offspring of the founding (F0) population; the second generation
F2 Generation
In genetic experiments, the offspring of the second (F1) generation; the third generation
Mendel’s two principles
1) The observed characteristics of organisms are determined jointly by two particles (later named genes by T.H. Morgan), one inherited from the mother and one from the father.
2) Each of these two particles, or genes, is equally likely to be transmitted when gametes (eggs and sperm) are formed. Now known as independent assortment
independent assortment
Each gene has an equal probability to be transmitted to gametes (eggs and sperm) during their production
genes
A molecular unit of heredity of a living organism, inherited equally from mother and father, named by American geneticist T.H. Morgan
gametes
Eggs and sperm, the cells that fuse during fertilisation
chromosomes
Small linear bodies contained in every cell which are replicated during cell division.
nucleus (plural nuclei)
A membrane enclosed organelle found in eukaryotic cells containing most of the cells genetic material, organised as multiple long linear DNA molecules
eukaryote
An organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within membranes, such as a nucleus and a chromosome, accounting for all complex life forms
mitosis
The process of ordinary cell division, creating two copies of the chromosomes present in the nucleus
diploid
Organisms whose chromosomes come in homologous pairs
homologous pairs
In chromosomes, pairs whose members have similar shapes and staining patterns
meiosis
Special cell division process that produces gametes, wherein only half of the chromosomes are transmitted from the parent cell to the gamete
haploid
Cells containing only one copy of each chromosome, such as gametes - contrast with diploid cells, which contain a homologous pair of chromosomes
zygote
Diploid cell formed by the unification of two haploid gametes, one from the mother (egg) and one from the father (sperm). Subsequent mitosis of this cell produces a new individual
allele
Different varieties of a particular gene
homozygous
Individuals with two copies of the same allele
heterozygous
Individuals with two different alleles
genotype
The particular combination of genes or alleles that an individual carries
phenotype
The observable characteristics of an organism, such as the colour of the peas in Mendel’s experiments