Lab Terminology

Question 1

Define Algae

Answer 1

Photosynthetic aquatic organisms that have relatively simple body plans i.e. they do not have roots, stems, or leaves.

Question 2

Define Allele

Answer 2

Alternative version of a gene e.g. either dominant recessive.

Question 3

Define Alternation of Generations

Answer 3

A life cycle with distinct multicellular haploid and diploid stage found in some plants e.g. ferns.

Question 4

Define Antheridium (plural antheridia)

Answer 4

Male reproductive organ on the fern gametophyte in which the flagellated sperm cells are formed.

Question 5

Define Archegonium (plural archegonia)

Answer 5

Female reproductive organ on the fern gametophyte in which the egg cell is formed.

Question 6

Define Autosomes

Answer 6

In humans, the non-sex chromosomes (22 pairs).

Question 7

Define Autosomal

Answer 7

Refers to genes that are located on autosomes i.e. not sex-linked.

Question 8

Define Binary Fission

Answer 8

A means of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes in which a cell divides to form two identical organisms.

Question 9

Define Biotechnology

Answer 9

The use of living organisms or their components (such as DNA or protein) to make, modify, or process products for human benefit.

Question 10

Define Bivalent

Answer 10

A pair of homologous chromosomes.

Question 11

Define Capsule

Answer 11

A type of protective outer covering (glycocalyx) composed of polysaccharides found on many bacterial cells; protects bacteria from adverse conditions, digestion, dehydration.

Question 12

Define Cell Lysis Solution

Answer 12

Detergent that lyses the cell and nuclear membranes by disrupting the bonds of the lipids and proteins of the membranes, releasing DNA from the cell.

Question 13

Define Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)

Answer 13

Selectively permeable membrane that separates a cell’s contents from the surrounding environment and regulates passage of substances into and out of the cell.

Question 14

Define Cell Wall

Answer 14

A relatively rigid layer found immediately outside the plasma membrane; in bacteria, archaea, plants, fungi, and some protists; provides support and protection for the cell.

Question 15

Define Cellular Respiration

Answer 15

A process that generated energy-rich molecules called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from sugars.

Question 16

Define Central Vacuole

Answer 16

Membrane-bound organelle in plant cell that functions in storage of water, enzymes, ions, proteins, pigments and toxins; provides support to plant cell through maintenance of turgor pressure.

Question 17

Define Centromere

Answer 17

Region in a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are tightly associated; point of attachment of spindle microtubules during cell division.

Question 18

Define Chiasma (plural Chiasmata)

Answer 18

Connection at the crossing-over site of two homologous chromosomes.

Question 19

Define Chloroplast

Answer 19

A chlorophyll-containing organelle where the photosynthesis occurs; found only in plants and algae (algal protists)

Question 20

Define Chromatid

Answer 20

The two identical copies of DNA that make up a duplicated chromosome, and are joined at the centromeres; known as sister chromatids.

Question 21

Define Chromoplast

Answer 21

Plastid that contains pigments (carotenoids) giving colouration to flowers and fruits making them attractive to animals for pollination and seed dispersal respectively.

Question 22

Define Chromosome

Answer 22

A unit of genetic material composed of DNA and associated proteins, found in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells and in the nucleoid region of prokaryotic cells.

Question 23

Define Cilium (plural cilia)

Answer 23

Short cellular appendages that facilitate locomotion (e.g.. in Paramecium) or function to sweep fluid over the surface of the cell (e.g. epithelial cells from you nasal passage where cilia sweep mucus and debris out of the respiratory tract).

Question 24

Define Colony

Answer 24

1. A localized population of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) derived from a single cell.

Question 25

Define Contractile Vacuole

Answer 25

A membrane-bound organelle involved in osmoregulation in animal-like protists (e.g. Amoeba and Paramecium).

Question 26

Define Crista (plural cristae)

Answer 26

Infolding of the inner membrane of a mitochondrion; increases the surface area available for ATP synthesis.

Question 27

Define Crossing Over

Answer 27

Exchange of segments of the chromatids of homologous chromosomes during synapsis in prophase 1 of meiosis.

Question 28

Define Cytokinesis

Answer 28

Division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells.

Question 29

Define Cytoplasm

Answer 29

Region of the cell contained within the plasma membrane; functions in creating an environment for the processes that take place in the cell (i.e. movement of the cell contents, metabolic pathways).

Question 30

Define Cytoplasmic Bridge

Answer 30

Connection between adjacent cells of a colony that allows communication between cells.

Question 31

Define Cytoplasmic Streaming

Answer 31

Movement of cytoplasm within a cell; used to circulate cell contents to distribute food and remove waste in large algal and plant cells.

Question 32

Define Cytoskeleton

Answer 32

Network of protein filaments in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell; includes microtubules, intermediate filaments, and microfilaments (actin filaments).

Question 33

Define dNTP

Answer 33

Deoxyribonucleotide Triphosphate - building blocks used to produce the copies of DNA during polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Question 34

Define Dermatoglyphics

Answer 34

The study of the pattern and number of epidermal ridges on the fingers (i.e. fingerprints)

Question 35

Define Diffusion

Answer 35

Random movement of molecules of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of low concentration of that substance.

Question 36

Define Dihybrid Cross

Answer 36

Experimental mating between two individuals that differ with respect to two characteristics (e.g. plant height and seed colour).

Question 37

Define Diploid

Answer 37

A cell or organism that has two sets of chromosomes (i.e. pairs of homologous chromosomes, 2n).

Question 38

Define DNA

Answer 38

Deoxyribonucleic Acid - genetic material of an organism, a double-stranded, helical nucleic acid.

Question 39

Define DNA Denaturation

Answer 39

Separation of the two strands of the DNA double helix; occurs during polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Question 40

Define DNA Extraction

Answer 40

Performed by chemical lysis of nucleated cells to liberate DNA which is then precipitated out of solution.

Question 41

Define DNA Polymerase

Answer 41

Heat stable enzyme that assembles DNA nucleotides into polynucleotides using a pre-existing strand of DNA as a template.

Question 42

Define Dominant

Answer 42

An allele that is expressed in both the heterozygous and homozygous condition.

Question 43

Define Duplicated Chromosome

Answer 43

Chromosome that has two identical sister chromatids, resulting from DNA replication in the S stage of the cell cycle.

Question 44

Define Ethanol

Answer 44

Alcohol used to precipitate DNA during DNA extraction.

Question 45

Define Eukaryotic

Answer 45

Cell or organism that contains membrane-bound organelles and a true nucleus.

Question 46

Define Eyespot

Answer 46

Light sensitive organelle that orients certain organisms (e.g. volvocine algae) towards the light.

Question 47

Define Flagellum (plural flagella)

Answer 47

Long cellular appendage specialized for locomotion (e.g. volvocine algae, sperm cells).

Question 48

Define Food Vacuole

Answer 48

Vacuole present in animal-like protists and some cells of multicellular animals contains food particles engulfed by cell.

Question 49

Define Frequency

Answer 49

Proportion of one type of individual (of genotype or phenotype) to the total population.

Question 50

Define G1

Answer 50

First gap phase of the cell cycle when new organelles and proteins are produced and plasma membrane increases in size.

Question 51

Define G2

Answer 51

Second gap phase of the cell cycle, after DNA replication occurs.

Question 52

Define Gamete

Answer 52

A haploid reproductive cell which combines with another gamete during sexual reproduction. Eggs and sperm are gametes.

Question 53

Define Gametophyte

Answer 53

Multicellular haploid generation in the life cycle of a plant that produces gametes (egg and sperm) by mitosis.