Genes and inheritance Flashcards
Variation
No two individuals of any species are exactly alike due to differences in their genes.
Evolution relies on variation among individuals within a species.
Natural selection, driven by subtle genetic differences, determines which individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Variation is essential for evolution to occur.
Human beings display visible variations such as different facial features, eye colors, and skin tones, as well as less visible variations like blood types.
Variations arise from factors like inheritance of genes from parents and genetic recombination during sexual reproduction.
Even siblings with the same parents can have different genetic combinations, highlighting the diversity within a species.
Use and disuse
- Proposed by Lamarck
- The more a body part is used by an organism, the stronger it becomes
- +vise versa
Inheritance of acquired characteristics
- Proposed by Lamarck
- Phenotypic changes acquired by parents during their lifetime are passed on to offspring
Genes
Genes, which are specific segments of DNA, are inherited from our parents
Allele
alleles are different forms of the same gene, with two alleles for each gene
Homozygous
Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles
Heterozygous
heterozygous means having different alleles
Genotype
Collection of alleles we have
Phenotype
The characteristics you get from Genotype
Chromosome
Thread-like structures in the nucleus of cells that carry genetic information in the
form of genes.
Heredity
The passing on of genetic traits from parents to offspring
Genetic Disorder
An abnormal condition caused by mutations or alterations in genes, resulting
in health problems or abnormalities.
DNA
The molecule containing genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth,
and reproduction of all known living organisms.
Mutation
: A change in the DNA sequence that can result in variations in traits or lead to genetic
disorders.
