Genetics

Question 1

Genetics

Answer 1

To describe how the characteristics of living things are transmitted from one generation to the next

Question 2

Heredity

Answer 2

Used to describe the particular characteristics that are transmitted from parents to their offspring

Question 3

Inheritance

Answer 3

The basic principle of genetics and explains how characteristics are passed from one generation to the next

Question 4

Dominant

Answer 4

The greater influence by one of a pair of genes that affect the same inherited character

Question 5

Recessive

Answer 5

The heritable characteristics controlled by genes which are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parent

Question 6

Allele

Answer 6

The pairs of genes on a chromosome that determine hereditary characteristics

Question 7

Mitosis

Answer 7

The process of cell duplication, resulting in the two daughter cells using the same DNA from the parent cell

Question 8

Gene

Answer 8

A unit of heredity which is transferred by a parent to modify characteristics of their offspring

Question 9

Chromosomes

Answer 9

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein that are found in most living cells

Question 10

Nucleus

Answer 10

An organelle found within eukaryotic cells which contains the majority of the cell’s genetic material

Question 11

Mitosis

Answer 11

The process where a single (parent) cell divides which results in two identical cells that each contain the same number of chromosomes

Question 12

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Answer 12

A double helix structure which contains sets of nucleotides that contains genetic information

Question 13

Homologous

Answer 13

Chromosomes that carry the same type of genetic material

Question 14

Non-homologous

Answer 14

Chromosomes that do not belong to the same pair

Question 15

Genotype

Answer 15

A set of genes in our DNA which is responsible for a particular trait

Question 16

Phenotype

Answer 16

A set of observable characteristics of a person resulting from the genotype and environment

Question 17

Autosomes

Answer 17

A chromosome that is not an allosome (sex chromosome) which makes up for the first 22 pairs of chromosomes

Question 18

Meiosis

Answer 18

The form of cell division that produces gametes

Question 19

Trisomy

Answer 19

A chromosomal disorder where 47 chromosomes are present instead of 46 and can lead to diseases such as ‘down syndrome’

Question 20

Monosomy

Answer 20

Refers to the presence of only one chromosome opposed to two, causes diseases such as ‘turner syndrome’

Question 21

Karyotype

Answer 21

A process in which a cytogeneticist observe photographs of an individual chromosome to determine characteristics

Question 22

Telomerase

Answer 22

An enzyme within a eukaryote that repairs the telomeres of the chromosome so that it can prevent it from becoming smaller over time

Question 23

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Answer 23

A long, single-stranded chain of cells that processes protein and carries information from DNA to the ribosome