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inheritance, variation, and evolution Flashcards

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1
Q

what is sexual reproduction

A

a type of reproduction
involves the production of gametes by meiosis
a gamete from each parent fuses the form a zygote
genetic information from each gamete is mixed so the resulting zygote is unique

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2
Q

what are gametes

A

sex cells, sperm cells and egg cells in animals, pollen and egg cells in flowering plants

haploid - half the no. of chromosomes

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3
Q

what is meiosis

A

form of cell division involved in the formation of gametes in reproductive organs
chromosome number is halved
involves two division

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4
Q

what must occur to prior to meiosis

A

interphase, copies of genetic information are made during this process

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5
Q

what happens during the first stage of meiosis

A

chromosome pairs line up along the cell equator
the pair of chromosomes are separated and move to opposite poles of cells
chromosome number is halved

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6
Q

what happens during the 2nd stage of meiosis

A

chromosome line up along the cell equator
the chromatids are separated and move to opposite poles of the cell
four unique haploid gametes are produced

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7
Q

why is meisosis important for sexual reproduction

A

increases genetic variation
ensures that the zygote formed at fertilisation is diploid

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8
Q

describe fertilisation and its resulting outcome

A

gametes join together to restore the normal number pf chromosomes and the new cell then divides by mitosis
as the embryo develops, cells differentiate

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9
Q

what is the advantage of sexual reproduction

A

creates a genetic variation in offspring increasing the probability of a species adapting to and surviving

environmental changes
natural selection can be speeded up by humans in selective breeding to increase food production

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10
Q

disadvantages of sexual reproduction

A

to parent are required. this makes reproduction difficult in endangered populations or in species which exhibit solitary lifestyle

more time and energy is required so offspring are produced in fewer no.

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11
Q

what is asexual reproduction

A

type of reproduction

involves mitosis only

produces genetically identical offspring, also known as daughter cells

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12
Q

advantage of asexual reproduction

A

only one parent is required

lots of offpring can be produced at one time, enabling rapid colonisation of an area and reducing competition from other species

requires less energy and time as they do not need a mate

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13
Q

disadvantage of asexual reproduction

A

no genetic variation reducing probability of a species being able to adapt to environmental changes

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14
Q

describe the cicrumstances in which fungi reproduce sexually and asexually

A

asexual reproduction by spores
sexual reproduction to give variation

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15
Q

describe the circumstances in which plants reproduce sexually and asexually

A

sexual reproduction to produce seeds
asexual reproduction by runners or bulb division

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16
Q

what is DNA

A

a double stranded polymer of nucleotides, wound to form a double helix

the genetic material of the cell found in its nucleus

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17
Q

define genome

A

the entire genetic material of an organism

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18
Q

why is understanding the human genome important

A

important for developing medicine in the future

  • searching for genes linking to different diseases
  • understanding and treating inherited disorders
  • tracing human migration patterns from the past
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19
Q

what is a chromosome

A

a long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes

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19
Q

how many chromosomes do human body cells have

A

46 chromosomes

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20
Q

how many chromosomes do human gametes have

A

23 chromosomes

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21
Q

define gene

A

a small section of DNA that codes for a specific sequence of amino acids which undergo polymerisation to form a protein

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22
Q

what are the monomers of DNA

A

nucleotides

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23
Q

what are DNA nucleotides made up off

A
  • common sugar
  • phosphate group
  • one of 4 bases: A,T,C,G
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24
Q

name the full Ames of the 4 bases found in nucleotides

A

adenine
thymine
cytosine
guanine

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25
Q

describe how nucleotides interact to form a molecule of DNA

A

sugar and phosphate molecules join to form a sugar-phosphate backbone in each DNA strand

base connected to each sugar

complementary base pairs joined by weak hydrogen bonds

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26
Q

explain how a gene codes for a protein

A

a sequence of three bases in a gene forms a triplet

each triplet codes for an amino acid

the order of amino acids determines the structure and function of protein being formed

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27
Q

why is the folding of amino acids important in proteins such as enzymes

A

the folding of amino acids determines the shape of the active site which must be highly specific to the shape of its substrate

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28
Q

what is protein synthesis

A

the formation of a protein from a gene

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29
Q

what are the 2 stages of protein synthesis

A

transcription
translation

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30
Q

what does transcription involve

A

the formation of mRNA from a DNA template

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31
Q

explain transcription

A
  1. DNA double helix unwinds
  2. RNA polymerase binds to a specific base sequence of non-coding DNA in front of a gene and moves along the DNA stand
  3. RNA polymerase joins free RNA nucleotides to complementary bases on the coding of DNA strand
  4. mRNA formation complete. mRNA detaches and leaves the nucleus
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32
Q

what does translation involve

A

a ribosome joins amino acids in a specific order dictated by mRNA to form a protein

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33
Q

explain translation

A
  1. mRNA attaches to a ribosome
  2. ribosome reads the mRNA bases in triplets. each triplet codes for one amino acid which is brought to the ribosome by a tRNA molecule
  3. a polypeptide chain is formed form the sequence of amino acids which join together
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34
Q

what is mutation

A

a random change in the base sequence of DNA which results in mostly no change to the protein coded for, or genetic variants of the protein

mutations occur continuously

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35
Q

describe the effect of a gene mutation in coding DNA

A

if a mutation changes the amino acid sequence, protein structure and function may change

if a mutation does not change amino acid sequence, there is no effect on protein structure or function

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36
Q

what is non-coding DNA

A

DNA which does not code for a protein but instead controls gene expression

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37
Q

describe the effect of a gene mutation in non-coding DNA

A

gene expression may be altered, affecting protein production and resulting phenotype

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38
Q

what new alleles

A

different versions of the same gene

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39
Q

what is a dominant allele

A

a version of a gene where only one copy is needed for it to be expressed

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40
Q

what is a recessive allele

A

a version of a gene where 2 copies are needed for it to be expressed

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41
Q

what is meant an organism is homozygous

A

when a organism has 2 copies of the same allele

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42
Q

what is meant when an organism is heterozygous

A

when an organism has two different versions of the same gene

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43
Q

what is a genotype

A

the genes present for a trait

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44
Q

what is the phenotype

A

the visible characteristic

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45
Q

how are dominant alleles represent in a Punnett square

A

the are represented using uppercase letter

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46
Q

how are recessive alleles represented in a Punnett square

A

they use the lowercase version of the same letter as the dominant allele

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47
Q

what is the problem with a single gene crosses

A

most characteristics are controlled by multiple alleles rathe than just one

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48
Q

what is an inherited disorder

A

a disorder cause by the inheritance of certain alleles

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49
Q

give 2 examples of inherited disorders

A
  • polydactyly - caused by a dominant allele
  • cystic fibrosis - causes by recessive allele
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50
Q

how are embryos screened for inherited disorders

A

during IVF: one cell is removed and tested for disorder causing alleles. if the cell doesn’t have any indicator alleles then the originating embryo is implanted into the uterus

51
Q

what are ethical issues concerning embryo screening

A
  • I could lead to beliefs in society that being disabled or having a disorder is less human or associated with inferiority
  • the destruction of embryos with inherited disorders is seen by some as murder as these would go on to become human beings
  • it could be viewed as part as the concept of designer babies as it may be for the parents convince
52
Q

what are economical issues concerning embryo screening

A
  • costs of hospital treatment and medication will need to be considered if it known that a child will have an inherited disorder and finical support explored if necessary
53
Q

what are social issues concerning embryo screening

A
  • social care for children with inherited disorders may need to be considered if parents are unable to provide care
  • if an embryo is found to have an inherited disorder and is terminated, this can prevent a child and its parents from potential suffering in the future do to the disorder
54
Q

what is gene therapy

A

the insertion of a normal allele into the cells of a person with an inherited disorder to functionally replace the faulty allele

55
Q

what are ethical issues concerning gene therapy

A
  • some people believe that it is going against god or “playing god”
  • the introduced genes could enter sex cells and be passed onto future generations
56
Q

what are sex chromosomes

A

a pair of chromosomes that determine sex

  • males have an x and Y chromosome
  • females have 2 X chromosomes
57
Q

why does the inheritance of a Y chromosome mean that an embryo develops into a male

A

testes development in an embryo is stimulated by a gene present on the Y chromosome

58
Q

what is a sex-linked characteristic

A

a characteristic that is coded for by an alley found on a sex chromosome

59
Q

what are the majority of genes found on the X chromosome rather than the Y chromosome

A

the X chromosome is bigger than the Y chromosome so more genes are carried on it

60
Q

what is variation

A

differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population is called variation

61
Q

what are the 2 causes of variation within a species

A

genetics
environment
a mixture of both the above

62
Q

what is genetic variation

A
  • variations in the genotypes of organisms of the same species due to the presence of different alleles
  • creates differences in phenotypes
63
Q

what creates genetic variation in a species

A

spontaneous mutations
sexual reproduction

64
Q

what is mutation

A

a random change to the base sequence in DNA which results in genetic variants
they occur continuously

65
Q

3 types of gene mutation

A

insertion
deletion
substitution

66
Q

what is the consequence of a new phenotype caused by a mutation being suited to an environmental change

A

there will be a rapid change in the species

67
Q

what is evolution

A

a gradual change in the inherited traits within a population over time

occurs due to natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species

68
Q

how do 2 populations become different species

A

when their phenotypes become different to the extent that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring

69
Q

what is selective breeding

A

the process by which humans artificially select organisms with desirable characteristics and breed them to produce offspring with similar phenotypes

70
Q

give examples of characteristics selected for in selective breeding

A

disease resistance in crops
higher milk or meat production in animals
gentle nature in domestic dogs
large flowers

71
Q

advantage of selective breeding

A
  • crops produce higher yield of grain
  • cows produce a greater supply of milk
  • plants produce larger fruit
  • domesticated animals
72
Q

other than agriculture, where else is selective breeding useful

A

in medical research
sports (horse riding)

73
Q

disadvantage of selective breeding

A
  • reduction in the gene pool
  • inbreeding results in genetic disorders
  • development of other physical problems
  • potential to unknowingly select harmful recessive alleles
74
Q

what is genetic engineering

A
  • the modification of the genome of an organism by the insertion of a desired gene from another organism
  • enables the formation of an organism with beneficial characteristics
75
Q

examples of uses for genetically modified plants

A

disease resistance
produce larger fruits

76
Q

what is the use for genetically modified bacteria cells

A

to produce human insulin to treat diabetes mellitus

77
Q

benefits of genetic engineering

A
  • increased crop yields for growing population
  • useful in medicine
  • GM crops produce scarce resources
78
Q

risks of genetic engineering

A
  • long term effects of consumption of GM crops unknown
  • negative environmental impacts
  • late-onset health problems
  • genetically modified seeds are expensive
79
Q

what is the name for crops that have had their genes modified

A

genetically modified crops

80
Q

how is genetically engineering used to protect crops against insects

A
  • the gene for toxin production in Bt can be isolated and inserted into the DNA of crops
  • Bt crops have now secreted the toxin which kills any insect that feed on it
81
Q

what are the benifits of Bt crops

A
  • increased crop yields
  • lessens the need for artificial insecticides
  • Bt toxins is specific to certain insect larvae so it is not harmful to other organisms that ingest it
82
Q

what are the risks of Bt crops

A
  • long term effects of consumption
  • insect larvae may become resistance
  • killing insect larvae reduces biodiversity
83
Q

describe the process of genetic engineering

A
  1. DNA is cut at specific base sequences by restriction enzymes to create sticky ends
  2. vector DNA cut using the same restriction enzymes to create complementary sticky ends
  3. legase enzymes join the sticky ends of the DNA and vector DNA forming recombination DNA
  4. recombination DNA mixed with and taken up by target cells
84
Q

what is a vector

A

a structure that delivers the desired gene into the recipient cell

85
Q

how can plants be cloned

A

taking plant cuttings
tissue culture

86
Q

what is tissue culture

A

using small groups of cells from part of a plant to grow identical new plants

87
Q

describe how plants are grown using tissue culture

A
  1. select a plant that shows desired characteristics
  2. cut multiple small sample pieces from meristem tissue
  3. grow in a Petri dish containing growth medium
  4. transfer to compost for further growth
88
Q

must be ensured when preparing tissue cultures

A

ensure aseptic conditions to prevent contamination by microorganisms

89
Q

what does the growth medium contain

A

nutrients and growth hormones

90
Q

advantages of growing plants by tissue culture

A
  • fast and simple process
  • requires little space
  • enables the growth of many plant clones with the same characteristics
  • useful in the preservation of endangered plant species
91
Q

disadvantages of growing plants by tissue culture

A
  • reduction in the gene pool
  • plant clones often have low survival rates
  • could unknowingly increase the presence of harmful recessive alleles
92
Q

describe the plant cutting method of plant cloning

A

older but simpler method than tissue culture

gardeners use this method to produce many identical new plants from a parent plant

93
Q

process of plant cuttings method of plant cloning

A
  1. a branch is cut off from the parent plant
  2. the lower leaves of the branch are removed and the stem is planted
  3. plant hormones are used to encourage new root development
  4. a plastic bag is used to cover the new plant to keep it warm and moist
  5. new roots and a new plants is formed after a few weeks
94
Q

what does embryo transplanting involve

A

pre-specialised cells from a developing animal embryo are split apart
the resulting separate but identical embryos are transplanted into host mothers

95
Q

describe how adult cell cloning is performed

A
  1. nucleus is removed from an unfertilised egg cell
  2. the nucleus from an adult body cell, is inserted into the egg cell
  3. the electric shock stimulates the nucleated egg cell to divide and it forms an embryo
  4. the embryo cells contain the same genetic information as the adult body cell
  5. when the embryo is a ball of cells, it is inserted into the uterus of an adult female to continue developing
96
Q

outline the theory of evolution by natural selection

A

individuals of a specific show a wide range of variation for a characteristic

those with the characteristics most suited to the environment will survive breed most successfully

the desirable characteristic that has enabled the individuals to survive are passed onto their offspring

97
Q

what was Darwins theory of evolution not accepted initially

A
  • most people believed in creationism
  • insufficient evidence to prove the theory
  • the mechanism of variation and the inheritance was not known at the time
98
Q

what was jean-baptists lamarcks theory of inheritance

A

that changes during the lifetime of an organisms can be inherited

99
Q

what is specification

A

the formation of a new species, when 2 populations become so varied that they cannot interbreed to produce fertile offspring

100
Q

what is the definition of a species

A

a group of organisms with similar characteristics which are able to interbreed to produce fertile offspring

101
Q

outline the process of specification through geographic isolation

A
  • two populations of the same species are separated geographically
  • geographically isolating prevents interbreeding and mixing of genes between the populations
  • due to different selective pressures, different mutations occur producing different phenotypes in each population
  • over time, the 2 populations ma evolve so that they are not able to interbreed
102
Q

why is genetic variation important in specification

A

genetic variation produces phenotypic variation, some of which are better suited to the environment and are selected for

103
Q

how did Mendel study inheritance

A

through carry breeding experiments on plants and analysing the ratio of characteristics in offspring

104
Q

why was mendels work not regnosised until after his death

A

he could not explain the mechanism of inheritance, as chromosomes were only discord after his death

it was not communication well to other scientists and was not published in a reputable specific journal

105
Q

state 2 kinds of evidence used to show evolution

A

fossils
antibiotic resistance in bacteria

106
Q

how are fossils formed

A

plants of organism that have not decayed due to conditions needed for decay being absent

parts of organisms that have been replaced by minerals as they decayed

traces of organisms are preserved, covered in sediment and becoming rocks

107
Q

why are there few traces of early life forms left behind

A

mostly soft-dodied

108
Q

how do fossils act as evidence for evolution

A

scientists can identity the ages of the fossils and use them to show how organisms change over time

109
Q

what do branches in evolutionary trees indicate

A

where speciation has occurs

110
Q

what is extinction

A

where there are no individuals of a species still alive

111
Q

state the factors that may lead to extinctions

A
  • new disease
  • predation
  • competition
  • changes to the environment
  • catastrophic events
112
Q

what enables bacteria to evolve quickly

A

the fast rate of their reproduction

113
Q

outline the process of antibiotic resistance bacteria evolving

A
  • mutations occur in bacteria producing genetic variation
  • certain strains are resistance to antibiotics and are not killed when the antibiotic is applied
  • resistance strains survive and reproduce
  • over time, the population of the resistant strain increase
114
Q

why are resistance strains of bacteria becoming dangerous

A

people no immunity to them and there is no effective treatment

115
Q

state an example of a resistance strain of bacteria

A

MRSA

116
Q

what can be done to reduce the rate of development of antibiotic resistance bacteria

A
  • refrain from inappropriately prescribing antibiotics
  • complete the prescribed course of antibiotics
  • resist agricultural uses of antibiotics
117
Q

why is it difficult to keep up with emerging resistant strains

A

developing antibiotics have a high cost and take a long time to develop

118
Q

what are the classes of organism as determined by carl Linnaeus

A

kingdom
phylum
class
order
family
genus
species

119
Q

which features are living creatures traditionally classified by

A

structure and characteristics

120
Q

what is the binomial system of naming organisms

A

genus name followed by species name

121
Q

why are new classification models proposed

A

developments in the microscopy allowed better examination of internal structures
improvement in understanding of biochemical processes

122
Q

state the 3 domains

A

archaea
eukaryotic
Bacteria

123
Q

which organisms belong in the domain archaea

A

bacteria
usually living in the extreme environments

124
Q

which organisms belong in he domain bacteria

A

bacteria

125
Q

which kingdoms belong in the domain eukarya

A

plants
animals
fungi
protists

126
Q

how are evolutionary trees created

A

by examining the DNA of different species and analysing how similar the sequences are

Biology (8 decks)

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