Final vocab list

Question 1

Lethal allele

Answer 1

An allele that has the potential of causing death to an organism

Question 2

Heterogametic sex

Answer 2

When a species has two different types of sex chromosomes

Question 3

Overdominance

Answer 3

the fitness of heterozygotes is higher than both of the homozygous genotypes

Question 4

Incomplete dominance

Answer 4

The heterozygote exhibits a phenotype between either homozygote

Question 5

Diploid

Answer 5

having 2 copies of each chromosome, one from each parent

Question 6

Map units

Answer 6

a unit for measuring genetic linkage (cM or m.u)

Question 7

Transformation

Answer 7

Cell directly uptakes and incorporates exogenous DNA materials (e.g plasmids and linearized DNA molecules) from its surroundings through cell membranes

Question 8

Short-interfering RNAs

Answer 8

Non-coding double-stranded RNA containing 21-22 nucleotide base pairs that interfere with the expression of particular genes and mRNA translation by targeting a particular type of gene or mRNA

Question 9

CpG Island

Answer 9

Genomic regions that contain a high frequency of cytosine and guanine nucleotides, allows methylation of cytosine to silence gene expression

Question 10

Transposase

Answer 10

Enzymes involved in the cutting and splicing of large quantities of DNA- jumping genes

Question 11

Epistasis

Answer 11

Circumstance where expression of one gene is modified by the expression of one or more other genes (masked, inhibited or suppressed)

Question 12

Maternal effect

Answer 12

offspring expresses mothers phenotype

Question 13

Horizontal gene transfer

Answer 13

movement of genetic material between two different species of organisms

Question 14

Genetic linkage

Answer 14

linked genes sit close together on a chromosome, making them likely to be inherited together

Question 14

Barr body

Answer 14

A chromosome that has been condensed into heterochromatin and localized to the nuclear membrane, so it is not transcribed. One of the X-chromosomes in females is transformed into a Barr body

Question 15

conjugation

Answer 15

the process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact. Pilus structure forms between donor and recipient cells

Question 16

plasmid

Answer 16

a small circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and some other microscopic organisms

Question 17

gene regulation

Answer 17

the process used to control the timing, location and amount in which genes are expressed

Question 18

Transduction

Answer 18

the process by which a virus phage incorporates genetic material from one bacterium and transfers it to another

Question 19

Bilateral gynandromorph

Answer 19

When half of an individual’s body develops as make and the other as female due to loss of X chromosome during miotic division

Question 20

Enhancer

Answer 20

short region of DNA that can be bound by proteins (activators) to increase the likelihood that transcription of a particular gene will occur

Question 21

Vector

Answer 21

DNA molecule used to carry and insert genetic material into a host cell for replication or expression

Question 22

Primer

Answer 22

A short nucleic acid sequence that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis

Question 23

Transposable element

Answer 23

mobile DNA sequences capable of moving themselves between locations within a genome

Question 24

Pleiotrophy

Answer 24

multiple effects of a single gene on the phenotype of an organism

Question 25

operator

Answer 25

DNA sequence that serves as a binding site for repressor proteins to prevent gene expression

Question 26

Germ Cells

Answer 26

Specialized reproductive cells that give rise to gametes (sperm or eggs) through meiosis.

Question 27

Biotechnology

Answer 27

Uses living cells to develop or manipulate products for specific purposes.

Question 28

Gene cloning

Answer 28

identical, or virtually identical, copies of an organism, cell or DNA sequence

Question 29

RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism) Map

Answer 29

Differences (or variations) among people in their DNA sequences at sites recognized by restriction enzymes.

Question 30

Polygenic threshold

Answer 30

Trait is influenced by multiple genes, and the trait is expressed only when the combined genetic and environmental factors exceed a certain threshold.

Question 31

Endosymbiosis Theory

Answer 31

Defines the origin of the mitochondrion and chloroplast as the engulfment of bacteria by an ancestral eukaryotic cell

Question 32

Robertsonian Translocation

Answer 32

The two long arms of two separate acrocentric chromosomes fuse to create one chromosome. Theorized to be why humans have 46 chromosomes and great apes have 48.

Question 33

Taq polymerase

Answer 33

Heat-stable enzyme used in PCR to synthesize DNA by adding nucleotides to a primer during high-temperature cycles.

Question 34

DNA sequencing

Answer 34

Laboratory technique for determining the exact sequence of nucleotides, or bases, in a DNA molecule.

Question 35

Sex-linked Gene

Answer 35

Gene on one of the sex chromosomes.

Question 36

Splicing Factors

Answer 36

A protein involved in the removal of introns from strings of messenger RNA, so that the exons can bind together.

Question 37

Gene Conversion

Answer 37

A specific type of homologous recombination that involves the unidirectional transfer of genetic material from a 'donor' sequence to a highly homologous 'acceptor'.

Question 38

Haplodiploid

Answer 38

Which males develop from unfertilized eggs and are haploid, and females develop from fertilized eggs and are diploid.

Question 39

How can an X-linked recessive trait be identified in a pedigree?

Answer 39

It appears much more frequently in males and typically skips a generation

Question 40

How can an X-linked dominant trait be identified in a pedigree?

Answer 40

It appears much more frequently in males and typically does not skip generations

Question 41

How can Y-linked traits be identified in a pedigree?

Answer 41

It only appears in males and never skips and generation