Glossary Flashcards

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1
Q

Allele

A

One of a number of possible forms of a gene. Each characteristic has two alleles.

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2
Q

Adenine

A

A base that is found in DNA. Adenine (A) will only bond with Thymine (T) and this pairing forms part of the ‘rungs’ of DNA.

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3
Q

Amino Acids

A

Building blocks of proteins - there are 20 different kinds.

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4
Q

Anther

A

Found in plant flowers and carries pollen - the male gamete of plants.

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5
Q

Asexual Reproduction

A

Reproduction of identical offspring from a single parent. No gametes are involved (e.g. fission, spores).

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6
Q

Autosomes

A

Any chromosomes found in a cell other than the sex chromosomes.

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7
Q

Base

A

One of four chemicals which make up the ‘rungs’ of DNA: A, adenine; T, thymine; C, cytosine and G, guanine.

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8
Q

Base Pair

A

The two bases making up each ‘rung’ of DNA: either A-T or C-G.

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9
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variation in species within an ecosystem.

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10
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variation in species within an ecosystem.

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11
Q

Cell

A

The structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

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12
Q

Cell Division

A

The formation of two or more daughter cells from one original cell.

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13
Q

Chromosome

A

Thread-like structures bearing genes that are found in the nucleus of a cell. Visible during the prophase of cell division.

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14
Q

Characteristic

A

A distinctive inherited feature of an organism.

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15
Q

Cloning

A

A process that produces identical genetic individuals.

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16
Q

Codon

A

A sequence of three nucleotides found on a DNA strand.

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17
Q

Cytosine

A

A base that is found in DNA. Cytosine (C) will only bond with Guanine (G) and this pairing forms part of the ‘rungs’ of DNA.

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18
Q

DNA

A

Deoxyribonucleic acid. A molecule found in the nucleus of cells which codes for an individual’s genetic makeup.

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19
Q

DNA Replication

A

The process whereby DNA makes an exact copy of itself.

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20
Q

Dominant

A

An allele that controls the phenotype regardless of what the other allele is.

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21
Q

Double Helix

A

A term used to describe the structure of DNA; a spiral-ladder shaped molecule.

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22
Q

Enzymes

A

Proteins that act as biological catalysts in living organisms. They control the rate of reactions.

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23
Q

Fertilisation

A

The fusion (joining) of a male and female gamete to form a zygote.

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24
Q

Gamete

A

A sex cell: Ovum and sperm in animals or ovule and pollen grains in plants. A cell that has to join with another gamete to form a zygote before further development can occur.

25
Q

Gene

A

A length of DNA carrying the code for one feature.

26
Q

Genetics

A

The study of how living organisms inherit features from one generation to another.

27
Q

Genetic Code

A

The genetic information had in the DNA.

28
Q

Genetic Diversity

A

The variation in the genetic code within a species, population, ecosystem.

29
Q

Genotype

A

The combination of two alleles that an organism has for a particular gene.

30
Q

Guanine

A

A base that is found in DNA. Guanine (G) will only bond with Cytosine (C) and this pairing forms part of the ‘rungs’ of DNA.

31
Q

Heterozygous

A

Having two different alleles for a particular gene; not true breeding.

32
Q

Homozygous

A

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene; breed true when crossed with genetically identical organisms.

33
Q

Inheritance

A

The passing on of traits from generation to generation through the genetic code.

34
Q

Karyotype

A

Photograph of individual chromosomes of a cell arranged in pairs and showing their number, size and shape.

35
Q

Meiosis

A

The type of cell division which produces sex cells/gametes (sperm and eggs/pollen and ova). In animals it occurs in the ovaries and testes. A process in which a diploid nucleus divides twice to produce four haploid, genetically different nuclei.

36
Q

Mitosis

A

The type of cell division which produces two identical daughter cells from one parent cell.

37
Q

Molecule

A

Two or more atoms chemically bonded together, e.g. CO2 or O2.

38
Q

Mutation

A

A random change in the genetic code of an individual.

39
Q

Nucleotide

A

A molecule containing a sugar-phosphate-base, found in DNA. Nucleotide bases pair to form DNA.

40
Q

Offspring

A

New individuals formed by either asexual or sexual reproduction.

41
Q

Organism

A

An individual that is able to grow and reproduce, etc. (MRS C GREN)

42
Q

Ovaries

A

The female organ that produces female gametes - eggs. Eggs are used in sexual reproduction in both plants and animals.

43
Q

Pedigree Chart

A

A chart which shows how genes are inherited.

44
Q

Phenotype

A

The characteristics of an organism produced by a particular genotype.

45
Q

Proteins

A

Molecules that contain amino acids. They are found in all living organisms. There are many different types and all have important roles in living systems.

46
Q

Pollen

A

The make gamete of plants.

47
Q

Punnett Square

A

A diagram used to predict the phenotype and genotype ratios of offspring by showing how alleles combine together during fertilisation.

48
Q

Pure Breeding

A

Organisms homozygous for a trait.

49
Q

Recessive

A

An allele which is only expressed in the offspring if the dominant allele is absent.

50
Q

Selective Breeding

A

A process that is used to breed for specific required traits.

51
Q

Semi-conservative Replication

A

DNA replication by ‘unzipping’ a DNA molecule followed by pairing up of nucleotides to produce two new DNA molecules each with one original and one newly synthesised strand of DNA.

52
Q

Sex Chromosome

A

A chromosome that determines the sex of the individual.

53
Q

Sexual Reproduction

A

For of reproduction involving the fusion of two gametes from two parents. Produces a variation in the offspring.

54
Q

Testes

A

The male organ that produces male gametes - sperm. Sperm are used in sexual reproduction in animals.

55
Q

Thymine

A

A base that is found in DNA.Thymine (T) will only bond with Adenine (A) and this pairing forms part of the ‘rungs’ of DNA.

56
Q

Trait

A

A feature whose appearance is determined by genes.

57
Q

Variation

A

The difference between individuals.

58
Q

Zygote

A

A fertilised egg. A single cell containing chromosomes from male and female gametes at the time/point of fertilisation.