Glossary Flashcards
Allele
One of a number of possible forms of a gene. Each characteristic has two alleles.
Adenine
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.
Amino Acids
Building blocks of proteins - there are 20 different kinds.
Anther
Found in plant flowers and carries pollen - the male gamete of plants.
Asexual Reproduction
Reproduction of identical offspring from a single parent. No gametes are involved (e.g. fission, spores).
Autosomes
Any chromosomes found in a cell other than the sex chromosomes.
Base
One of four chemicals which make up the ‘rungs’ of DNA: A, adenine; T, thymine; C, cytosine and G, guanine.
Base Pair
The two bases making up each ‘rung’ of DNA: either A-T or C-G.
Biodiversity
The variation in species within an ecosystem.
Biodiversity
The variation in species within an ecosystem.
Cell
The structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
Cell Division
The formation of two or more daughter cells from one original cell.
Chromosome
Thread-like structures bearing genes that are found in the nucleus of a cell. Visible during the prophase of cell division.
Characteristic
A distinctive inherited feature of an organism.
Cloning
A process that produces identical genetic individuals.
Codon
A sequence of three nucleotides found on a DNA strand.
Cytosine
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.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. A molecule found in the nucleus of cells which codes for an individual’s genetic makeup.
DNA Replication
The process whereby DNA makes an exact copy of itself.
Dominant
An allele that controls the phenotype regardless of what the other allele is.
Double Helix
A term used to describe the structure of DNA; a spiral-ladder shaped molecule.
Enzymes
Proteins that act as biological catalysts in living organisms. They control the rate of reactions.
Fertilisation
The fusion (joining) of a male and female gamete to form a zygote.