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Biology 2025 > Key Vocab > Flashcards

Key Vocab Flashcards

(70 cards)

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1
Q

Adaptations

A

Traits/phenotypes which allow an organism to better survive in its environment.

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2
Q

Allele

A

An alternative version of a gene. Alleles produce variation in individuals (e.g., B,b = Brown eyes, blue eyes)

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3
Q

Amino acids

A

The building blocks of protein

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4
Q

Ancestor

A

An organism (or species) from which other organisms (or species) have evolved.

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5
Q

Antiparallel

A

The two strands of DNA molecule run in opposite directions.

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6
Q

Bases

A

A (adenine), T (thymine), G (guanine), C (cytosine).

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7
Q

Asexual reproduction

A

Requires only one parent. All offspring are genetically identical to the parent.

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8
Q

Complementary Base Pairs

A

A:T (Apples in the Tree) and G:C (Cars in the Garage).
Ensures the genetic code is replicated correctly during DNA replication.

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9
Q

Crossing-over

A

Swapping of DNA between homologous chromosomes during the meiosis process. Increases genetic variation.

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10
Q

Chromosome

A

A long strand of DNA found in the nucleus of every cell. Contains a specific set of genetic information.

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11
Q

DNA

A

Deoxyribonucleic Acid - A molecule that carries the genetic code.

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12
Q

DNA sequencing

A

The process of finding out the exact order of bases on a length of DNA

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13
Q

Dominant

A

An allele that is always expressed when it is present. Represented using capital letters (e.g., BB, Bb).

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14
Q

Evolution

A

Gradual change in the genetic code of organisms over a long period of time. May result in formation of new species.

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15
Q

Gametes

A

Sex cells containing half the chromosomes of the parent.

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16
Q

Fertilisation

A

The process where the DNA from an egg and sperm fuse together.

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17
Q

Genome

A

All the DNA in a single cell of an organism
.

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18
Q

Gene

A

A short segment of DNA that codes for a particular protein/phenotype.

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19
Q

Genetic Code

A

The bases of a gene are read in sets of three and each triplet codes for amino acid, which in turn, are joined to make a protein.

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20
Q

Gene Marker

A

A short segment of DNA that can be used to follow inheritance of a trait (especially if it is not visible) or determine relatedness of different organisms.

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21
Q

Genetic variation

A

The total number of different alleles in a population of organisms.

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22
Q

Genotype

A

The combination of alleles for a gene (e.g., BB, Bb, bb).

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23
Q

Genotypic ratio

A

The predicted ratio of inheritance of alleles from mating of two individuals.

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24
Q

Heterozygous

A

Two different alleles in a genotype (e.g., Bb).

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25
Homozygous
Two alleles in a genotype are the same (e.g., BB or bb)
26
Homologous pairs of chromosomes
Two chromosomes in a cell with the same genes on them. One chromosome is inherited from each parent.
27
Independent segregation
Homologous chromosomes line up at random and independently of other homologous chromosomes during the process of meiosis.
28
Karyotype
A picture of all the chromosomes in a cell, ordered from largest to smallest in homologous pairs.
29
Meiosis
A type of cell division which produces egg and sperm cells (gametes) with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
30
Mutation
A permanent change in the DNA.
31
Offspring
The resulting individuals of reproduction.
32
Pedigree chart
A branching tree diagram that tracks alleles/traits being passed through a family.
33
Phenotype
How a gene is expressed as a protein/phenotype trait.
34
Phenotype ratio
The predicted ratio of phenotypes of offspring of a genetic cross.
35
Phylogenetic Tree
A diagram that orders organisms in relationship to how closely related they are. Usually start with a common ancestor on the far left.
36
Proteins
Polymers of amino acids that make up our traits.
37
Punnett square
A method of showing the probability of all the potential offspring genotypes and phenotypes that can occur from mating two individuals.
38
Population
Number of organisms of the same species living in a defined area.
39
Recessive
An allele that is only expressed in the phenotype when the genotype is homozygous (bb).
40
Sexual reproduction
Reproduction involving two parents. Offspring inherit half their DNA from each parent.
41
Species
A group of organisms that can breed with each other and produce fertile offspring.
42
Trait
A feature of an organism (phenotype).
43
Triplet Code
Bases of genes are read in threes (triplets), each triplet codes for an amino acid to build a protein.
44
Gene pool
All the alleles present in a population
45
Linked genes
Where genes are on the same chromosome.
46
Unlinked genes
Genes are on different chromosomes
47
Locus
Position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome
48
Chromatid
1 "arm" of a replicated chromosome
49
Centromere
Where two homologous chromatids are joined
50
Sister chromatids
The two chromatids on one chromosome
51
Non sister chromatids
Two chromatids that are on different chromosomes in a homologous pair
52
Population Bottleneck
When an environmental factor reduces a population to small numbers. This small population will not have the genetic diversity of the original larger population. As it increases in size again it will have reduced genetic variation.
53
Codominance
Both alleles are dominant in a heterozygous organism. Both alleles are independently and fully expressed. (eg red and white petals)
54
Dihybrid inheritance
Genetic crosses between individuals that involves two genes (2 pairs of alleles)
55
Fitness or evolutionary fitness
How well adapted an organism is to its current environment so it has an increased chance of surviving and reproductive success.
56
Founder effect
When a small group of individuals colonise a new area. The range and frequency of alleles in the gene pool of the founder population is not representative of the original larger population
57
Gene flow
Movement of alleles in and out of the population due to migration
58
Genetic change
Refers to changes in the alelle frequencies or changes in the gene pool of a population
59
Genetic drift
Random changes in allele frequency in a population due to chance events. (significant in small populations)
60
Genetically isolated
The individuals in two populations cannot mate and produce offspring so their gene pools are separate and there is no gene flow
61
Incomplete dominance
Neither allele in a heterozygous organism is dominant and the phenotype is an intermediate between (or blend of) the two homozygous phenotypes (eg pink flowers)
62
Lethal alleles
Alleles that produce a phenotype that is fatal to an organism when present in homozygous condition.
63
Multiple alleles
Where a gene has more than two possible alleles at one locus. Any one individual only has two of the possible alleles.
64
Pure breeding
When an organism only has one type of allele to pass on to the offspring - homozygous for a particular characteristic
65
Recombination
The shuffling or mixing of linked alleles resulting from crossing over
66
Selection pressure
Environmental factors that increases or decreases chances of survival and successful reproduction in an individual
67
Allele frequency
The proportion of an allele in the gene pool of a population expressed as a decimal or %
68
Equation for allele frequency
(No. of dominant alleles/total no. of alleles) x 100
69
Natural selection
The process where some individuals with particular phenotypes have greater chances of survival and reproductive success than others in their environment.
70
Founder's effect
When a small grouo of individuals break off from a larger population and establish a new population.

Biology 2025 (2 decks)

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