Lesson 1: Intro To Genetics Flashcards
What do all living things contain?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in cells.
Where is DNA located in humans?
In the nucleus of cells.
What are chromosomes?
Organized packets of DNA.
What are the functions of genes?
1) Code for proteins
2) Aid in the maintenance of cells
3) Control a particular trait.
How many chromosomes do humans have?
46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
What are somatic cells?
Most cells that have the normal number of chromosomes, said to be diploid.
What are gametes?
Cells (i.e. egg and sperm) that have half the number of chromosomes, said to be haploid.
What are the key nucleotides in DNA?
Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C).
What is the structure of DNA?
A double helix with sugar-phosphate backbones.
What forms the rungs of the DNA ladder?
Hydrogen bonds between complementary nucleotides (A-T and G-C).
What do the chromosomes from parents consist of?
The chromosomes from the parents are of the same type, just different variations, so each child has 23 pairs of similar chromosomes.
How many pairs of chromosomes are known as autosomes?
22 pairs are known as autosomes.
What are the last pair of chromosomes known as?
The last pair are known as the sex chromosomes and determine an individual’s sex organs.
What are variations of genes that control traits called?
Variations of genes that control traits are called alleles, one from each parent.
How many copies of each chromosome does a person have?
Each person has two copies of each chromosome, resulting in two alleles for a trait.
What is mitosis?
Mitosis is a process that produces two identical daughter cells.
What does mitosis produce?
Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells that contain important genetic material.
Why is mitosis important?
Mitosis is important because it allows for growth and repair of tissues.
Who is responsible for the discovery of alleles?
The person responsible for the discovery of alleles is Gregor Mendel.
What are the sex chromosomes?
The sex chromosomes are X and Y, and they have fewer genes compared to autosomes.
What is the role of cytokinesis?
Cytokinesis is the process that divides the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells.
What occurs during interphase?
During interphase, DNA synthesis occurs, preparing the cell for mitosis.
Alele
A variant form of a gene.
Bene
A term often used in genetics to describe beneficial traits.
