Inheritance, variation and evolution. Flashcards
What does asexual reproduction involve?
-Only one parent.
-No fusion gametes so no mixing of genetic information.
-Produce identical offspring (clones).
How do strawberry plants reproduce asexually?
They send out long shoots called runners which touch the ground and grow a new plant.
What does sexual reproduction involve?
-The fusion of male and female gametes:
-Sperm and egg cells in animals
-Pollen and egg cells in flowering plants.
-Mix of genetics which produces variation in the offspring.
-Involves meiosis.
Meiosis.
When a cell divides by meiosis:
-Copies of the genetic information are made.
-Cell divides twice to form 4 gametes each with a single set of chromosomes (23).
-Fetilastion restores the full number of chromosomes.
-Once fertilisation the resulting cell divides rapidly by mitosis- cells specialise via differentiation.
Advantages of sexual reproduction.
-Produces variation in the offspring.
-If the environment changes any variation means that some organisms will be suited and can survive.
-Allows humans to selectively breed animals and plants and increase food production.
Advantages of asexual reproduction.
-Only one parent is needed.
-More time and energy efficient- need to find a mate.
-Faster than sexual reproduction.
-Many identical offspring are produced to make the best use of good conditions.
What is the genome of an organism?
It is the entire genetic material.
How does studying the human genome help scientists?
-Search for genes linked to different types of disorders.
-Understand the cause of inherited diseases and how to treat them.
-How humans have changed over time.
Is DNA a polymer or a monomer?
Polymers are made up of repeating units called nucleotides.
What does each nucleotide consist of?
-A sugar, a phosphate and one of four bases A,C,G or T.
What do nucleotides join to form?
Join to form long strands. Each molecule has 2 alternating sugar and phosphate stands which twist to form a double helix.
-Attached to each sugar is one of the 4 bases.
It is an attraction between the different bases that hold two strands together:
-a C on 1 strand always links with a G on the opposite strand.
-a T on 1 strand always links with an A on the opposite strand.
How many bases are there in one amino acid?
3.
How are proteins made?
-Proteins are synthesised in ribosomes using a template taken from the DNA- turned into a single strand of mRNA which is carried tothe nucleus to cytoplasm.
-Carrier molecules (tRNA) then bring specific amino acids to add to the growing protein chain in the correct order.
-It then folds up to form a unique shape.
-Allows the proteins to do their jobs as enzymes. hormones or structural proteins.
What happens if the bases in a DNA change?
Then it may change the order of the amino acids in the protein coded for by the gene. Only changes slightly so it still works.
What happens when the protein mutates (shape)?
-If it’s an enzyme then the substrate may no longer fit into the active site.
-If it’s a structural protein, it may lose its strength.
Not all parts of DNA code for proteins:
-Non-coding parts of DNA can switch genes on/off so that they can/cannot make specific proteins.
-Mutations in these areas of DNA may affect how genes are expressed.
What did Gregor Mendel investigate?
That sexual reproduction produced a blend of characteristics. He investigated this by carrying out breeding experiments on pea plants.
What did Mendel discover?
That characteristics are determined by units (now called genes) that are inherited and do not blend together.
What are alleles?
Different forms of genes. One from each parent.
What is the combination of alleles present in a gene called?
Genotypes.
What are the alleles called when their characteristics appear?
Phenotype.
What are the two types of alleles?
Dominant and recessive.
What is a person called if they have 2 of the same alleles?
Homozygous. Eg BB or bb
What is a person called if two of the alleles are different?
Heterozygous. Eg Bb.