Reproduction & Heredity

Question 1

DNA

Answer 1

a molecule that contains the information that determines the traits that a living thing inherits and needs to live

Question 2

Chromosomes

Answer 2

visible structures of DNA, which contain two chromatids joined together by a centromere

Question 3

Cell Cycle

Answer 3

the life cycle of a eukaryotic cell. It is divided into 3 stages: interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis

Question 4

Interphase

Answer 4

the part of the cell cycle when it is not dividing. The cell grows twice its size and produces organelles. It transports materials and gets rid of wastes

Question 5

Mitosis

Answer 5

the part of the cell cycle in which the nucleus divides; the second phase of the life cycle of a eukaryotic cell

Question 6

Cytokinesis

Answer 6

the division of the parent cell’s cytoplasm, when the membrane pinches inward between the two nuclei and forms two complete cells.

Question 7

Prophase

Answer 7

the chromatin in the nucleus condenses and becomes visible under a microscope

Question 8

Metaphase

Answer 8

chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell

Question 9

Anaphase

Answer 9

the chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite sides of the cell

Question 10

Telophase

Answer 10

the last phase of mitosis, when each cell now has its own nucleus and the cycle begins again

Question 11

Meiosis

Answer 11

the type of cell division that produces haploid cells such as eggs and sperm cells

Question 12

Homologous chromosomes

Answer 12

chromosomes found in pairs that have the same structure and size

Question 13

Sexual reproduction

Answer 13

two parents each contribute a sex cell to the new organism

Question 14

Asexual reproduction

Answer 14

one organism produces one or more new organisms that are identical to itself. This occurs through mitosis.

Question 15

Fertilization

Answer 15

when a sperm and egg cell join together to form an embryo

Question 16

Binary fission

Answer 16

the form of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes. The parent organism splits itself in two, producing two new cells

Question 17

Budding

Answer 17

an organism develops tiny buds on its body. The buds grow to form full-size organisms that are genetically identical to the parent

Question 18

Spores

Answer 18

specialized cells that can survive harsh conditions. They are produced asexually by one parent

Question 19

Vegetative reproduction

Answer 19

new plants grow from a part of the existing plant, like stems, roots, or leaves.

Question 20

Heredity

Answer 20

the passing of genetic material from parents to offspring

Question 21

Dominant

Answer 21

shown with a capital letter, these traits are guaranteed to appear in offspring

Question 22

Recessive

Answer 22

shown with a lower-case letter, these traits contribute to the phenotype only when two copies of it are present

Question 23

Gene

Answer 23

segments of DNA found in chromosomes that give instructions for producing a certain characteristic

Question 24

Allele

Answer 24

different versions of a gene found in DNA

Question 25

Genotype

Answer 25

the combination of alleles inherited from your parents

Question 26

Phenotype

Answer 26

your observable traits

Question 27

Incomplete dominance

Answer 27

one trait is not completely dominant over the other. The phenotypes blend together to create a new shade, such as hair or eye color.

Question 28

Codominance

Answer 28

both the alleles in the heterozygous individual contribute to the phenotype. The traits don’t blend together-the person has BOTH traits.

Question 29

Punnett Square

Answer 29

a graphic used to predict the possible genotypes of offspring in a given cross. It shows all the possible allele combinations in the offspring.

Question 30

Probability

Answer 30

expressed as a percentage, it is the mathematical chance of a specific outcome in relation to the total number of possible outcomes

Question 31

Ratio

Answer 31

an expression that compares two quantities, like 1:4 or “one to four.”

Question 32

Pedigree

Answer 32

a tool used to study patterns of inheritance through generations of a family.