Chapter 4 Flashcards
Define heredity
The passing of traits from parents to offspring
Define genetics
The scientific study of heredity and variation
What is DNA’s full name?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Define deoxyribonucleic acid
A molecule that carries genetic information for cells (makes up a chromosome)
Define gene
A segment of DNA that codes for a particular trait
Define locus
Location of a gene on a chromosome
Define chromosomes
They are found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. They vary in shape, size and number between species but usually remain consistent within species.
How many chromosomes does a human have?
46 (23 pairs)
What is 2N ?
Short form for diploid cell
What is N ?
Short form for haploid cells
What is a haploid cell?
They have half the normal number of chromosomes
What is a polyploid cell?
It has three or more sets of chromosomes
What is the cell cycle?
It refers to the sequence of events from one division to another. It includes interphase mitosis and cytokinesis.
Define Interphase
The phase that takes up most of the cells life. It gathers nutrients and grows in this stage. The genetic material must be duplicated for cell division. At the end of interphase, double sets of chromosomes exist and are referred to as sister chromatids.
What is chromatin?
The genetic material which is made up of DNA strands. Chromosomes in this form are long and thin.
Define mitosis
The process that ensures that each new cell has a nucleus with chromatin. It is made up of four stages.
What is prophase?
The stage at which chromosomes become short and fat. The nuclear membrane starts to dissolve. The centrioles migrate to the poles of the cell and form spindle fibres which will attach to the centromere.
What is metaphase?
The stage when chromosomes line up at the center of the cell.
What is anaphase?
The stage when the centromere divides and the spindle fibers move and align. The sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite poles in the cell
What is telophase?
The stage when a complete set of chromosomes are at each pool of the cell. Single-stranded chromosomes unwind into thin strands of chromatin and spindle fibers dissolve. The nuclear membrane reforms
What is cytokinesis?
The stage at which the cytoplasm and organelles separate so two new cells are formed. In many protists, fungi and animals cells, the cell pinches off into two parts. In plant cells, the cell plate forms which separates the cell into two parts.
What is sexual reproduction?
A process that produces genetic variety. The offspring inherit genetic information from both parents, thus differing genetically from everyone else.
How many processes are there in sexual reproduction?
Two. Gamete Formation and Fertilization.
What is gamete formation?
Gametes are haploid sex cells, including sperm and egg cells. Produced by meiosis.
What is fertilization?
The joining together or fusion of two gametes. The new cell produce is called a zygote (a diploid cell). The offspring receive a complete set of genetic information from both parents. Each chromosome from one parent is matched by the other parent.
Define homologous chromosomes
They are matching pairs of chromosomes that are similar in size and carry information for the same genes.
How many copies of chromosomes are normally found in the cells of a diploid organism?
2
In mitosis, replication occurs during….
Interphase