Mitosis & Meiosis (Review) Flashcards
Define genes
Units of hereditary information in the form of a linear sequence of DNA nucleotides
Define chromosomes
A structure that consists of one very long DNA molecule and associated proteins
Define DNA
A nucleic acid molecule composed of hundreds to thousands of nucleotides in the form of a double-stranded helix
What is the relationship between genes, chromosomes, and DNA?
A gene is a linear sequence of DNA nucleotides
DNA molecules are packaged into chromosomes
T or F: eukaryotic chromosomes can contain 100s-1000s of genes?
True
Describe prokaryotic chromosomes
Prokaryotes have a single, circular chromosome
Define genome
one complete set of chromosomes
How many chromosomes are in the human genome?
2 copies of 23 chromosomes
n=23
How many chromosomes are in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) genome?
2 copies of 4 chromosomes
n=4
T or F: typically DNA is condensed
False. Typically DNA is not condensed
DNA condenses before cell division
When can DNA be seen in a microscope? When it is condensed or uncondensed?
Condensed
Define diploid cells
2 copies of every chromosome
Define haploid cells
1 copy of every chromosome
Define homologous chromosomes/homologues
a pair of chromosomes that have the same length, centromere, and genes (though they might have different alleles for those genes)
Where does each of the chromosome originate from in a homologous pair?
1 from mother
1 from father