Inheritance, Variation and Selection Flashcards
Define Inheritance
Transmission of genetic information from generation to generation
Define Chromosome
A thread like structure of DNA carrying genetic information in the form of genes
Define gene
Length of DNA that codes for a protein
Define Allele
Version of a gene
Which chromosomes do women have
XX
Which chromosomes do men have?
XY
Who determines the sex of the child?
The man
What is the sequence of bases in a gene responsible for?
It is the genetic code for putting together amino acids in the correct order to make a specific protein.
Give the base pairings
Thymine with Adenine
Guanine with Cytosine
What does the DNA control?
Controls cell functions by controlling the production of proteins, antibodies and receptors for neurotransmitters.
How is a protein made?
- The DNA gene coding for the protein remains in the nucleus as it is too big
- mRNA molecules carry a copy of the gene to the cytoplasm
- The mRNA passes through the ribosomes
- The ribosome assembles amino acids into protein molecules
- The specific order of amino acids is determined by the sequence of bases in the mRNA.
What is mRNA?
Messenger RNA
How does the ribosome read the codes on the mRNA?
In groups of three and each triplet of bases is called a codon.
What does a codon do?
Codes for a specific amino acid
Describe the genes in body cells?
All body cells in an organism contain the same genes but many genes in a particular cell are not expressed because the cell only makes the specific protein it needs
Define Haploid Nucleus
A nucleus containing a single set of unpaired chromosomes eg. sperm
How many pairs of chromosomes are there in a diploid nucleus?
23 pairs
Define Diploid Nucleus
A nucleus containing two sets of chromosomes eg. body cells
Define Mitosis
Nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells
What is mitosis used for?
It is used in growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of cells and asexual reproduction
What happens in mitosis?
Just before mitosis, each chromosome in the nucleus copies itself exactly. Chromosomes line up along the centre of the cell where the cell fibers pull them apart. The cell divides into two and each new cell has a copy of each of the chromosomes
What are stem cells?
Unspecialised cells that divide by mitosis to produce daughter cells that can be specialised for specific functions
Define meiosis
A reduction division in which the chromosome number in halved from diploid to haploid resulting in genetically different cells
When does meiosis happen?
It is used for the production of gametes
What does meiosis produce?
Variation by forming new combinations of maternal and paternal chromosomes
Describe the difference between mitosis and meiosis
Mitosis produces two cells; Meiosis produces four
Daughter cells are diploid; daughter cells are haploid
Daughter cells are genetically identical to each other; Daughter cells are genetically different to one another
One cell division occurs; Two cell divisions occur
Define genotype
The genetic make-up of an organism in terms of the alleles present
Define phenotype
The observable features of an organism
Define Homozygous
Having the identical alleles of a particular gene
What happens when two homozygous individuals breed?
Will produce pure- breeding offspring