Key words #3

Question 1

Deoxyribonucleic acid

Answer 1

The chemical composition of the molecules that contain the genes, which are the chemical instructions for cells to manufacture various proteins.

Question 2

Chromosome

Answer 2

One of the 46 molecules of DNA (in 23 pairs) that virtually each cell of the human body contains and that, together, contain all the gene. Other species have more or fewer chromosomes.

Question 3

Gamete

Answer 3

A reproductive cell. In humans it is a sperm or an ovum

Question 4

Zygote

Answer 4

The single cell formed from the union of two gametes, a sperm, and an ovum

Question 5

Gene

Answer 5

A small section of a chromosome; the basic unit for the transmission of heredity. A gene consists of a string of chemicals that provide instructions for the cell to manufacture certain proteins

Question 6

Allele

Answer 6

A variation that makes a gene different in some way from other genes for the same characteristics. Many genes never vary; others have several possible alleles

Question 7

Genome

Answer 7

The full set of genes that are the instructions to make an individual member of a certain species

Question 8

Copy number variations

Answer 8

Genes with various repeats or deletions of base pairs

Question 9

Autosomes

Answer 9

The chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes that is, not the 23rd pair. Humans usually have 44 autosomes

Question 10

Homozygous

Answer 10

Referring to two genes of one pair that are exactly the same in every letter of their code. Most genes pairs are homozygous

Question 11

Heterozygous

Answer 11

Referring to two genes of one pair that differ in some way. Typically, one allele has only a few base pairs that differ from the other member of the pair

Question 12

23rd pair

Answer 12

The chromosome pair that, in humans, determines sex. The other 22 pairs are autosomes, inherited equally by males and females

Question 13

XY

Answer 13

A 23rd chromosome pair that consists of an X-shaped chromosome from the mother and a Y-shaped chromosome from the father. XY zygotes become males

Question 14

XX

Answer 14

A 23rd chromosome pair that consists of two X-shaped chromosomes, one each from the mother and father. XX zygotes become females.

Question 15

Epigenetics

Answer 15

The study of how environmental factors affect genes and genetic expression - enhancing, halting shaping, or altering the expression of genes.

Question 16

Microbiome

Answer 16

All the microbes (bacteria, viruses, and son on) with all of their genes in a community

Question 17

In vitro fertilization

Answer 17

Fertilization that takes place outside a woman’s body (as in a glass laboratory dish). The procedure involves adding sperm to ova that have been surgically removed from the woman’s ovary. If a zygote is produced, it is inserted into a woman’s uterus, where it may implant and develop into a baby

Question 17

Stem cells

Answer 17

Cells from which any other specialized type of cell can form

Question 18

Golden rice

Answer 18

A variant of rice that has been genetically modified to contain vitamin A, thus preventing blindness. This GMO rice is yellowish in color, hence the name.

Question 19

Monozygotic (MZ twins)

Answer 19

Twins who originate from one zygote that splits apart very early in development (also called identical twins.) Other monozygotic multiple births (such as triplets and quadruplets) can occur as well.

Question 20

Dizygotic (DZ) twins

Answer 20

Twins, who are formed when two separate ova are fertilized by two separate sperm at roughly like the same time (Also called fraternal twins).

Question 21

Phenotype

Answer 21

Is the observable characteristics of a person, including appearance, personality, intelligence, and all other traits.

Question 22

Genotype

Answer 22

A person’s entire genetic inheritance, or genetic potential.

Question 23

Dominant

Answer 23

Reflected in the phenotype. Dominant genes have more influence on traits than recessive genes.

Question 24

Human Genome Project

Answer 24

Is an international effort to map the complete human genetic code. This effort was essentially completed in 2001, though analysis is ongoing.

Question 25

Recessive

Answer 25

Hidden, not dominant. Recessive genes are carried in the genotype and are not evident in the phenotype, except in special circumstances.

Question 26

Carrier

Answer 26

A person whose genotype includes a gene that is not expressed in the phenotype. The carried gene occurs in half of the carrier’s gametes and thus is passed on to half of the carrier’s children. If such a gene is inherited from both parents, the characteristic appears in the phenotype