Genetics Flashcards
Genetics
Genetics is the study of inheritance of characteristics
Inheritable characteristics
Many physical characteristics such as eye colour and shape of ears were inherited from your parents
Chromosomes
The nucleus of each sex cell (gamete) contains 23 thread like structure called chromosomes
Chromosomes are made of
Protein + DNA these chromosomes carry genes
Genes
Are chemicals found on chromosomes that pass on information from parents to children
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid
46 chromosomes
When an egg and sperm cell fuse (each has 23 chromosomes) they give the individual they are creating 46 chromosomes
Homozygous
having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes.
Heterozygous
having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes.
Dominant
a dominant trait or gene.
Recessive
relating to or denoting heritable characteristics controlled by genes which are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parents.
Biodiversity
There are many different type of living things
Fossils
The remains of very ancient living things
Extinct
Some living things disappear
Natural selection
How the va Variety of living things may have arisen, the most widely accepted explanation based on evidence is the theory of evolution by natural selection
Species
A group of living things that can reproduce together to produce offspring which themselves can reproduce
Mutation
A change in a gene
Evolution
The process by which different kinds of living things develop from either forms by genetic changes over long periods of time
Adaptation
A characteristic that helps an organism to survive and reproduce
