Science Vocab Terms

Question 1

Genetic Diversity

Answer 1

The number of different traits within a species or between species

Ex: The rainforest is the ecosystem with the most genetic diversity.

Question 2

Sexual Reproduction

Answer 2

The process of creating a new living organism by combining the genetic information from different sexes of the same species.

Ex: Humans reproduce sexually

Question 3

DNA

Answer 3

A molecule with a specific sequence of bases. The sequence of bases determines the traits of an organism

Question 4

Genes

Answer 4

A segment of DNA, which determines a trait

Question 5

Chromosome

Answer 5

A condensed DNA molecule

Question 6

Meiosis

Answer 6

The process of cell division which results in the daughter cells having half of the genetic information of the parent. The formation of gametes

Question 7

Crossing Over

Answer 7

The exchange of genes between chromosomes resulting in new genetic combinations in the offspring

Question 8

Somatic Cell

Answer 8

Any body cell that is not a sex cell/gamete

Ex: skin cells, liver cells

Question 9

Gamete

Answer 9

Sex cells

Ex: Egg cells or sperm cells

Question 10

Characteristic/trait

Answer 10

Attributes (can be physical structure) of an organism that are expressed by genes and/or influenced by the environment

Question 11

Zygote

Answer 11

A fertilized egg, contains a complete set of genetic information

Question 12

Embryo

Answer 12

An offspring in the early stages of development. Consists of a group of cells that have divided after fertilization and implant into uterus.

Ex: In humans, an offspring from 0 to 8 weeks of development

Question 13

Implantation

Answer 13

The process of an embryo entering the uterine lining for fetal development

Question 14

Mutation

Answer 14

A change in the DNA sequence of a cell that will be passed on to each daughter cell. Mutations can be beneficial or harmful to a cell and organism.

Ex: AATG → ACTG

Question 15

Fetal Development

Answer 15

The process of a fetus growing and developing in the uterus.

Ex: In humans fetal development lasts for 9 months

Question 16

Nucleic acids

Answer 16

Macromolecule that carries information for organisms in the form of DNA or RNA

Question 17

Egg

Answer 17

Female sex cell, formed in the ovaries

Question 18

Sperm

Answer 18

Male sex cell, formed in the testes

Question 19

Mitosis

Answer 19

The process of cell division where the new cells have the same genetic makeup as the original cells.

Question 20

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 20

Process of creating a genetically identical copy of the parent cell, common in single-celled organisms.

Examples: Binary fission, Budding, Regeneration

Question 21

Fertilization

Answer 21

During sexual reproduction the two gametes join together in a fusion process known as fertilization, to create a zygote.

Question 22

Reproduction

Answer 22

The process of creating an offspring

Example: Different organisms have different reproductive cycles

Question 23

Variation

Answer 23

Differences in traits between organisms within a species, or differences in traits of organisms in different species.

Example: birds have a variety of beaks

Question 24

Homologous Pair

Answer 24

Genes that are approximately the same size, and they contain the same types of genes in the same locations

Question 25

Progesterone

Answer 25

Female hormone, produced in the corpus luteum, maintains the uterus lining