Genetic Variation Definitions

Question 1

Allele

Answer 1

Different forms of a gene due to slightly different order of bases

Question 2

Allele Frequency

Answer 2

Is a measure of the relative frequency of an allele on a genetic locus in a population

Question 3

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 3

Reproduction involving only one parent. Doesn’t produce genetic variation

Question 4

Chiasma

Answer 4

Point of contact, the physical link, between two (non-sister) chromatic belonging to homologous chromosomes during crossing over

Question 5

Co-Dominance

Answer 5

Heterozygous individuals have a phenotype that shows the penhenotype of both parents

Question 6

Complete Dominance

Answer 6

A form of dominance in heterozygous condition where in the allele that is regarded as dominant completely masks the effect of the allele that is recessive

Question 7

Crossing Over

Answer 7

Occurs during Meiosis, when the homologous chromosomes line up at the equator, sometimes they tangle, snap, and exchange genetic information

Question 8

Diploid

Answer 8

A cell or organism consisting of two sets of chromosomes: usually, on set from the mother (maternal) and another set from the father (paternal)

Question 9

Evolution

Answer 9

Is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and relies on the process of natural selection

Question 10

Fertilisation

Answer 10

A process in sexual reproduction that involves the union of male (sperm) and female (ovum) gametes (each with a single, tabloid set of chromosomes) to produce a diploid zygote

Question 11

Founder Effect

Answer 11

Is the loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals from a larger population

Question 12

Gamete

Answer 12

Sex cell of an organism

Question 13

Gametic Cells

Answer 13

Sex cells. Cells with half the chromosome number. If a mutation occurs in one of these cells and that cell results in a zygote, all cells in the offspring will have that mutation

Question 14

Gene

Answer 14

A length of DNA which codes for a specific protein and therefore codes for a particular characteristic

Question 15

Gene Pool

Answer 15

Refers to the total number of genes of every individual in a population

Question 16

Genetic Diversity

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Genetic Drift

Answer 17

Is the change in the frequency of an existing gene variant (Allele) in a population due to random chance alone and not natural selection

Question 18

Genotype

Answer 18

The genetic make-up of the organism

Question 19

Haploid

Answer 19

When a cell has half the usual number of chromosomes

Question 20

Heterozygous

Answer 20

Different forms of the allele are present in the genotype e.g. Hh

Question 21

Homologous Chromosomes

Answer 21

Chromosome pairs (one from each parent) that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location they contain. The position of the genes on each homologous chromosome is the same. However, the genes may contain different alleles

Question 22

Homozygous

Answer 22

The same form of the allele is present in the genotype e.g. hh or HH

Question 23

Incomplete Dominance

Answer 23

Heterozygous individuals have a phenotype that is intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes (like a bland)

Question 24

Independent Assortment

Answer 24

The random arrangement of homologous chromosomes during Meiosis that results in gametes with unique combinations of alleles