respiration to evolution Flashcards
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Respiration
Chemical reaction within cells by which living things release energy from carbohydrates, producing CO2 and water.
Aerobic
When oxygen is present or being used.
Anaerobic
When oxygen is not present or being used.
Glycogen
Large carbohydrate molecule; similar to starch but found only in animal cells, and some bacterial and fungal cells.
Lactic acid
Chemical made from the incomplete breakdown of glucose during anaerobic respiration.
Fatigue
Build up of lactic acid in muscles that stops them contracting properly.
Oxygen debt
Lack of oxygen in muscle cells. Oxygen is needed to oxidise lactic acid in the muscle.
Mitosis
Cell division that occurs in body cells, resulting in 2 genetically identical cells.
Chromosome
Structure in a cell nucleus that is made up of a DNA molecule that has been condensed and coiled.
Diploid
Describes a cell that has a nucleus with two sets of chromosomes e.g. body cells.
Asexual reproduction
Reproduction without gametes, using mitosis. E.g. in bacteria.
Allele
A version of a gene.
Meiosis
Cell division that occurs to form sex cells (gametes), resulting in 4 unique cells.
Gametes
Sex cells. They contain half the normal number of chromosomes for the specific organism.
Haploid
Describes a cell that has a nucleus with only one set of chromosomes e.g. sex cells.
Zygote
Diploid cell resulting from the fusion of an egg and a sperm.
Fertilisation
The joining of the male and female gametes to make a new individual.
F1 generation
First generation of offspring from a genetic cross between two true-breeding parents.
Dominant
Visible characteristic found in an organism even when only one allele of the gene is present.
Recessive
A visible characteristic that is only present if two copies of the same allele are inherited.
Inheritance factor
A term used by Mendel. We now call this a gene.
Gregor Mendel
Discovered that inheritance was due to inheritance factors and not caused by a blending mechanism.
Monohybrid inheritance
Inheritance pattern of a single characteristic, determined by 1 gene
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid)
Gene
Section of DNA that codes for a characteristic or protein.
Punnett square
A grid used to represent the genetic cross of gametes during sexual reproduction.
Sex chromosomes
Chromosomes that decide on the sex of an individual.
DNA bases
Molecules arranged in pairs within each molecule of DNA. A pairs with T; C pairs with G.
Triplet code
Set of three DNA bases that code for a specific amino acid.
Digit
Finger or toe.
Cystic Fibrosis
A genetically inherited disorder that affects cell membranes. Excess mucus in the airwaves is a common symptom.
Stem cell
An undifferentiated cell that can divide by mitosis. It is able to differentiate into some or sometimes all of the bodies cell types.
DNA fingerprinting
Technique that analyses parts of the DNA of an individual and compares it with DNA from other individuals. Used to solve crimes, and check if people are related.
Evolution
Gradual change in an organism over time.
Fossil
Preserved remains of ancient living things.
Endangered
Describes a species that has low numbers and is in danger of becoming extinct.
Extinction
End of a species, when all of its members have dies out.
Speciation
Separate evolution of two populations of the same species, to form two separate species.
Isolation
Separation of two populations of a species so that they cannot interbreed. E.g. by a geographical barrier such as a mountain range.
Mutation
Change in the structure of a gene. A mutation may cause a gene to code for a different characteristic.
Natural selection
The survival of better-adapted organisms.
