Glossary Terms- Unit 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Question 1

Gene

Answer 1

A section of DNA that carries the genetic code for a particular characteristic.

Question 2

Allele

Answer 2

Different forms of the same gene

Question 3

Chromosome

Answer 3

A thread-like structure located in the nucleus containing the DNA and genetic information in the form of genes.

Question 4

Autosome

Answer 4

All of the chromosomes in a cell other than the sex chromosomes.

Question 5

Nucleotide

Answer 5

The building blocks of DNA (molecules). 
Nucleotide molecules are made of:
- phosphate
- deoxyribose sugar
- one of four nitrogen-rich bases.

Question 6

DNA

Answer 6

Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule determining characteristics of all living things (made up of nucleotides).

Question 7

Replication

Answer 7

The process of making two identical copies of DNA

Question 8

Chromatid

Answer 8

One of the chromosome strands after replication

Question 9

Centromere

Answer 9

The point of a chromosome attached to a spindle fibre during cell division (where the two chromatids are joined together.

Question 10

Homologous

Answer 10

Chromosomes with genes for a particular characteristic at the same location.

Question 11

Haploid

Answer 11

A cell or nucleus having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.

Question 12

Diploid

Answer 12

A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes

One from both the mother an father

Question 13

Dominant

Answer 13

The characteristic exposed in the heterozygous condition

Question 14

Recessive

Answer 14

The characteristic that remains hidden in the heterozygous condition.

Question 15

Heterozygous

Answer 15

Having two different alleles on homologous chromosomes

Question 16

Homozygous

Answer 16

Having two identical alleles on homologous chromosomes.

Question 17

Phenotype

Answer 17

Observable characteristics of the individual, the way the genotype is expressed.

Question 18

Genotype

Answer 18

Actual genetic information carried by an individual

Question 19

Meiosis

Answer 19

The type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.

Question 20

Spindle Fibres

Answer 20

Form of protein structure that divides the genetic material in a cell.

Question 21

Gamete

Answer 21

An egg or sperm cell

Question 22

Zygote

Answer 22

Very first cell made when two gametes meet.

Question 23

Complementary base pair

What are the two complementary base pairs?

Answer 23

One of two pairs of bases joining at the sugar deoxyribose part of the nucleotide.

Adenine + Thymine
Guanine + Cytosine

Question 24

Homologous chromosomes

Answer 24

Chromosomes with genes for particular characteristics in the same location.

Question 25

Mitosis

Answer 25

The type of cell division that produces two daughter cells identical to the parent cell.

Question 26

Sex chromosomes

Answer 26

The chromosomes determining the sex of an individual.

They are X and Y in humans.

Question 27

Incomplete dominance

Answer 27

Where the appearance of a heterozygous individual results from a ‘blending’ of the two alleles because one allele is not completely dominant over the other.

Question 28

Mutation

Answer 28

A mistake that happens when the DNA is copied, causing a change to the base sequence.

Question 29

Pure breeding

Answer 29

Where all individuals have the same genetic information for a characteristic generation after generation.

Question 30

Sex-linked genes

Answer 30

Genes present on the sex chromosomes.