Genetic + Biodiversity Flashcards
What is a homologous pair?
Carry the same gene, but not the same alleles.
What is Mitosis?
Sexual reproduction, produces 2 identical daughter cells, with the diploid number (46)
What is Meiosis?
Asexual reproduction, produces 4 daughter cells, with the haploid number (23)
What is a zygote?
2 haploid cells fuse, randomly
Explain the process of Meiosis 1
(Separating homologous chromosomes)
-Before this, DNA replication happens, interphase
Prophase 1: chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane disappears, homologous pairs pair up.
Metaphase 1: chromosomes line up in the centre in the homologous pairs.
Independent assortment/segregation- which wat round the chromosomes are, maternal and paternal can line up differently.
Crossing Over- exchange small portions of genetic material (alleles) when chromatids cross over, now unique.
Anaphase 1: homologous chromosomes separate
Telophase 1: nucleus divides, become haploid so no homologous pairs of chromosomes, chromosomes uncoil.
Cytokinesis: cell divides, consists of 2 unique chromatids.
Explain the process of Meiosis 2
(Separating sister chromatids)
Prophase 2: chromosome condense, nuclear membrane breaks down
Metaphase 2: chromosomes move to the middle of the cell, spindle fibres attach to centromere
Anaphase 2: sister chromatids separate, moving to opposite poles.
Telophase 2: nuclear membrane reforms, chromosomes uncoil.
Define ‘Natural Selection’
Organisms that are best adapted to the conditions are able to survive, breed, and pass on their adaptations to the next generation causing a gradual change in the species.
Define ‘Species’
A group of organisms that share common morphological, physiological, and behavioural characteristics. Need to be able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
What are alleles?
Different versions of genes, causing genetic variation.
What is ‘Biodiversity’?
A measure of how varied an ecosystem is. It can be measured in terms of genes, species, or habitats.
Define ‘Genetic diversity’
A measure of how many variations there are in the genetic code between individuals of a particular or different species/ number of different alleles of genes in a population.
Define ‘Species diversity’
Measure of how many different species are present in an area, and how many individuals of these species there are.
Define ‘Habitat diversity’
Measure of how many different habitats are present in an area.
What is a ‘gene pool’?
The variation of alleles that are present in a population.
What are selection pressures?
Factors such as predators or the climate that may cause natural selection.
What happens if there are no selection pressures?
Each individual is equally likely to breed and pass on its alleles to the next gen; so the frequency of alleles in the gene pool remain unchanged.
What happens if there are selection pressures?
For example a predator, then those individuals that are better adapted and suited are more likely to survive, breed, and pass on them alleles to the next gen. The allele frequency in the gene pool will change as those who have less desirable/useful traits will not breed.
What are the 3 types of selection?
-Stablising
-Directional
-Disruptive
What is ‘Stabilising Selection’ and where is the mode?
-Reduces the frequency of the alleles for the extreme expressions of a characteristic
-No change in the environment
-e.g. human birth weight, a weight significantly higher or lower than 7lb will put mum and baby in danger.
-Mode is in the middle of the curve, range reduces.
What is ‘Directional Selection’ and where is the mode?
-Increases the frequency of alleles for an extreme expression of a characteristic, which becomes the new average.
-When there is a change in the environment
-e.g. antibiotic resistant bacteria
-Mode shifts.
How does evolution occur?
-Mutations in the gametes, makes them better adapted
-Natural selection
What is evolution?
Any change in the heritable traits/ allele frequency within a population across a generation.
Why does over production of offspring lead to natural selection?
Too many offspring for the available resources, competition.
What are Homologous Pairs sometimes called?
Bivalents
During crossing over, what is the point at which the chromatids meet called?
Chiasma
What is ‘Courtship’?
A behaviour in animals that eventually results in mating and reproduction.