Key Words

Question 1

Allele

Answer 1

Two or more variants of a gene that have the same relative position in homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative characteristics
(alternative version of a gene)

Question 2

Allele frequency

Answer 2

The percentage within a population of species that carries a particular allele on a given chromosome

Question 3

Chiasma

Answer 3

The point where paired chromosomes come in contact during crossing over

Question 4

Continues Variation

Answer 4

For any species a characteristic that changes gradually over a range of values shows continuous variation. Examples of such characteristics are: height.

Question 5

Crossing over

Answer 5

A process occurring during meiosis where two chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material

Question 6

Diploid

Answer 6

A cell that contains two complete set of chromosomes one from each parent(i.e, in humans somatic cells are diploid as they contain 46 chromosomes

Question 7

Discontinuous Variation

Answer 7

A characteristic of any species with only a limited number of possible values shows discontinuous variation . Human blood group is an example of discontinuous variation. There are no values in between.

Question 8

Gamete

Answer 8

A reproductive cell having the haploid number of chromosomes.

Question 9

Gene

Answer 9

A sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on the chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism

Question 10

Gene Pool

Answer 10

The total sum of different alleles in an interbreeding population

Question 11

Genetic Variation

Answer 11

Variation in the allele frequency of genome between members of species or group of species

Question 12

Haploid

Answer 12

A cell that contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes(e.g in humans the gametes are haploid as they contain 23 unpaired chromosomes)

Question 13

Heritable

Answer 13

Capable to be passed to the one generation to the next

Question 14

Independent Assortment

Answer 14

The process of random segregation and random assortment of chromosomes during meiosis resulting in genetically different gametes

Question 15

Locus

Answer 15

The location of a given gene in a chromosome

Question 16

Meiosis

Answer 16

A special type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduce the number of chromosomes in reproductive cells from diploid to haploid

Question 17

Mutagen

Answer 17

An agent, such as chemicals or ultraviolet rays that increases the frequency of mutation in an organism

Question 18

Mutation

Answer 18

A permanent change in the base sequence of the DNA

Question 19

Trait

Answer 19

A genetically determined characteristic or condition

Question 20

Segregation

Answer 20

The separation of paired alleles or homologous chromosomes,especially during meiosis, so that the members of each pair appear in different gametes causing genetic variation

Question 21

Somatic cell

Answer 21

A cell which is not sexually reproductive(e.g skin cell)