December mock general :) Flashcards
What are vertabrates?
Animals WITH a backbone
What are invertebrates?
Animals without a backbone
What groups are in the 5 kingdom classification method?
Bacteria Single-celled organisms Plants Fungi Animals
What is the binomial naming system?
A universal method of naming a species, created by Carl Linnaeus. It is latin.
What 2 names are given to all species?
Genus + species
What is the genus?
The first name that other organisms share with other similar organisms.
What is the ‘species’ part of the name?
The second name, no other organism in the genus has this name.
What is the advantages of using a binomial name?
- It is the same across the world
- The name is the same in all languages
- It avoids confusion and duplication caused by local or common names.
What are morphological adaptations?
Physical adaptations to the organisms shape.
What are behavioural adaptations?
Adaptations mentally (like instincts) to be successful in their environment.
What is interspecific competition?
Competition between members of different species.
What is intraspecific competition
Competition between members of the same species.
What is an alien species?
A plant or animal that has been introduced to area in which it did not originate from.
What issues do invasive species cause?
- Possibly grow faster than native plants and disrupt the ecosystem.
- Native species may not be able to compete or adapt quick enough, so they may die out.
What issues can alien species cause?
- May not have any predators so population may grow out of control.
- Compete with native species, causing them to die out.
- May prey on native species, reducing their number.
- Possibly carry a disease which could impact other species in the area.
What is the process of mitosis?
The DNA replicates, producing 2 new daughter cells containing 4 chromosomes. Genetically identical and always the same number as the mother cell.
What is mitosis needed to do?
- Make new cells needed for growth
- Make cells needed to repair damage
- Make new cells needed to replace older cells
What is the process of meiosis?
DNA replicates into 2 cells, making 4 new gametes containing 2 chromosomes. (Half the original number). New cells genetically different to mother cell.
What is cancer the result of?
Uncontrolled mitosis. A cancerous tumour is one growing without any control, and can spread via the bloodstream to different parts of the body.
Definition of stem cells?
Unspecialised cells that have the ability to form other cells.
What can stem cells do?
They can differentiate into different types of cells, so they have the potential for producing cells by mitosis to replace damaged tissue.
Where can stem cells be found in plants?
The meristems - growing points at the tips of roots and shoots.
Where can stem cells be found in animals?
Bone marrow, umbilical cord, embryonic stem cells.
What are embryonic stem cells?
Embryos left over from In Vitro Fertility (IVF) treatment.
What are the uses of stem cell technology?
- Can lead to the treatment and cure of many diseases.
- Can be used to replace damaged tissues, eg spinal tissue or the trachea.
Advantages of adult stem cells?
- Body will accept the cells so no rejection issues.
- No moral or ethical issues.
Disadvantages of adult stem cells?
- Complicated and the technology is still being developed.
- They are unable to differentiate into as many different cells.
Advantages of embryonic stem cells?
- Source of cells are readily available from IVF treatment.
- Can differentiate into all cells.
Disadvantages of embryonic stem cells?
- Religious objections: some people believe that destroying embryos destroys human life.
- It’s like ‘farming’ humans.
What is gene therapy?
The use of a section of DNA containing the normal allele as a way to treat genetic diseases, eg cystic fibrosis.
How do they carry out gene therapy?
Inserting the section of normal DNA into a patient’s cells, where they are either
- expressed as proteins
- interfere with the expression of proteins
- possibly even correct genetic mutations.
How can gene therapy help cystic fibrosis?
A healthy dominant allele can be inserted into a lipid capsule, which can be taken in by cells in the lungs. it gets into the nucleous of a cell, where it will be transcribed and incorperated into genome. The cells are often breathed in by an inhaler.
Problems with gene therapy for cf?
- DNA must enter cells in the lungs, can be rejected by natural responses.
- DNA must enter the nucleous of a cell.
- Treated cells may be replaced by untreated cells over time, making it a temporary fix.
Issues with gene therapy in general?
- Expensive and treatment can last lifetimes.
- Not guaranteed cure, research is still being undertaken.
- Religious groups believe that genes should not be manipulated, against the will of god.
What is the definition of a recessive allele?
A type of allele which will not be manifested in an individual unless both of the individual’s copies of that gene have that particular genotype.
What is the definition of a dominant allele?
An allele that produces the same phenotype whether its paired allele is identical or different.
What is the definition of evolution?
Evolution is the process by which organisms have gradually changed over a long period of time.
What does evolution result in?
An organism becoming better adapted to its environment.
How is natural selection outlined?
- All pops vary
- Animals over-produce, creating competition
- Some have variations which others don’t, and survive longer.
- Those who survive will breed, passing on genes.
- Next gen has adaptations, but the process will start again.
- Final result - beneficial characteristics become more common. which will spread to the whole pop, which will have evolved as a result.
What are the 4 types of variation?
Heritable (passed on from genes)
Environmental (real life effects, eg scars)
Continuous (no categories, just a range, eg height)
Discontinuous (grouped, eg blood type)
What is DNA made up of?
Backbone chains of alternating sugar and phosphate units, twisted into a double helix.
What are the four bases in DNA?
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine.
What is the DNA code?
Three bases are code for 1 amino acid. Amino acids (around 20, but it varies) are then joined together to make a protein. This is known as the triplet hypothesis.
