definitions Flashcards

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1
Q

Sexual reproduction

A

Genetic information comes from two sexes, and gametes must meet and fuse

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2
Q

Asexual reproduction

A

Doesn’t require an egg and sperm (gametes) to meet, and usually comes from one organism

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3
Q

Gamete

A

Gametes are cells which can give rise to a new organism when they meet with a gamete of the opposite gender.

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4
Q

External fertilisation

A

Egg and sperm meet outside the female body

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5
Q

Internal fertilisation

A

Egg and sperm meet inside the female body

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6
Q

Binary fission

A

Type of asexual reproduction where bacteria ‘split’ in half, each half becomes a new daughter cell

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7
Q

Budding

A

Type of yeast asexual reproduction where cells grow bigger until a little ‘bud’ forms on the mother cell. This bud grows bigger until it is big enough to break off.

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8
Q

Mitosis

A

the process by which a cell replicates its chromosomes and then segregates them, producing two identical nuclei in preparation for cell division.

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9
Q

Meiosis

A

Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information.

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10
Q

DNA replication

A

Making new copies of DNA so new cells can have a copy

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11
Q

Transcription

A

The process of copying information encoded in DNA into a ‘photocopy’ or RNA so the ribosome can read it

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12
Q

Translation

A

Ribosome ‘reading’ the mRNA which tells it to recruit certain amino acids. Results in a polypeptide chain

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13
Q

Polypeptides

A

Polypeptides are short proteins made up of chains of amino acids

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14
Q

Chromosome

A

a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism.

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15
Q

Gene

A

A gene codes for a particular characteristic. A gene is a section of our DNA molecule

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16
Q

Allele

A

Allele is a form of a gene. For each gene, we have two alleles - one from mum and one from dad

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17
Q

Phenotype

A

This is the physical characteristic of a genotype

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18
Q

Genotype

A

the genetic makeup of an organism

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19
Q

Homozygous genotypes

A

Genotypes where the two alleles are the same

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20
Q

Heterozygous genotypes

A

Genotypes where the two alleles are different

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21
Q

Simple dominance

A

Where one allele is completely dominant over the other (the recessive allele)

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22
Q

Monohybrid cross

A

A Medelian cross where the two individuals have the same genotype

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23
Q

Co-dominance

A

Where two or more alleles have equal dominance (which gives rise to a third outcome)

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24
Q

Sex-linked genes

A

to characteristics (or traits) that are influenced by genes carried on the sex chromosomes.

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25
Q

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

A

A common genetic variation that occurs in >1% of the population

26
Q

DNA sequencing

A

Finding out what the sequence of DNA is

27
Q

Mutagen

A

Anything causing mutations

28
Q

Mutation

A

A change in DNA sequence

29
Q

Genetic flow/gene mutation

A

Introducing genes of one population into another by breeding between two populations

30
Q

Genetic diversity

A

total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species

31
Q

Biotechnology

A

the use of biological processes for a purpose, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.

32
Q

Artificial insemination

A

Taking semen from a male animal and inserting it into a female uterus

33
Q

Cloning

A

Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism

34
Q

Transgenic organisms

A

Species that are the result of genetic modification

35
Q

Pathogen

A

A foreign body that can cause disease

36
Q

Antigen

A

Molecules made of protein that trigger the immune response when they detect infectious pathogens

37
Q

Antibody

A

Made by plasma cells which specifically target a pathogen by binding to it

38
Q

Epidemic

A

An infectious disease spreading across a wide range

39
Q

Innate immune system

A

the first response of the body’s immune system to a harmful foreign substance

40
Q

Adaptive immune system

A

Made up of T cells and B cells and can eliminate or prevent the growth of pathogens

41
Q

Cytokines

A

Proteins that immune cells use to communicate with each other

42
Q

Cell differentiation

A

How cells become specialised for their different functions. They all start off exactly the same

43
Q

Quarantine

A

a restriction on the movement of people, animals and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests.

44
Q

Passive immunity

A

Injection of someone else’s antibodies

45
Q

Active immunity

A

Making your own antibodies in response to the presence of an antigen

46
Q

Homeostasis

A

the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems.

47
Q

Enzymes

A

proteins that help speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies.

48
Q

Substrates

A

Molecules part of a chemical reaction which react together to form the products

49
Q

Optimal

A

Best for efficiency of a reaction

50
Q

Endotherm organisms

A

Organisms which control their own body temperature, independently of the outside environment

51
Q

Ectotherm

A

Organisms which do not control their own body temperature, and rely on the outside environment

52
Q

Adaptive advantage

A

An advantage of a particular characteristic which helps the organism to adapt to the environment, according to the theory of evolution by natural selection

53
Q

Hormones

A

Chemicals which are used to control organs in the body

54
Q

Disease

A

Disturbance in normal structure and function caused by something outside the body

55
Q

Disorder

A

Disturbance in normal body structure and function caused by something inside the body

56
Q

Cancer

A

Uncontrolled growth of cells

57
Q

Incidence

A

How many new cases of this disease in x time?

58
Q

Prevalence

A

How many people have had this disease in x time?

59
Q

Mortality

A

Number of deaths in a given time or location

60
Q

Epidemiology

A

The study of how a disease occurs and spreads and where it is most prevalent

61
Q

Genetic engineering

A

Changing the characteristics of an organism by changing its genes