Science Vocab Terms Flashcards
Genetic Diversity
The number of different traits within a species or between species
Ex: The rainforest is the ecosystem with the most genetic diversity.
Sexual Reproduction
The process of creating a new living organism by combining the genetic information from different sexes of the same species.
Ex: Humans reproduce sexually
DNA
A molecule with a specific sequence of bases. The sequence of bases determines the traits of an organism
Genes
A segment of DNA, which determines a trait
Chromosome
A condensed DNA molecule
Meiosis
The process of cell division which results in the daughter cells having half of the genetic information of the parent. The formation of gametes
Crossing Over
The exchange of genes between chromosomes resulting in new genetic combinations in the offspring
Somatic Cell
Any body cell that is not a sex cell/gamete
Ex: skin cells, liver cells
Gamete
Sex cells
Ex: Egg cells or sperm cells
Characteristic/trait
Attributes (can be physical structure) of an organism that are expressed by genes and/or influenced by the environment
Zygote
A fertilized egg, contains a complete set of genetic information
Embryo
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
Implantation
The process of an embryo entering the uterine lining for fetal development
Mutation
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
Fetal Development
The process of a fetus growing and developing in the uterus.
Ex: In humans fetal development lasts for 9 months
Nucleic acids
Macromolecule that carries information for organisms in the form of DNA or RNA
Egg
Female sex cell, formed in the ovaries
Sperm
Male sex cell, formed in the testes
Mitosis
The process of cell division where the new cells have the same genetic makeup as the original cells.
Asexual Reproduction
Process of creating a genetically identical copy of the parent cell, common in single-celled organisms.
Examples: Binary fission, Budding, Regeneration
Fertilization
During sexual reproduction the two gametes join together in a fusion process known as fertilization, to create a zygote.
Reproduction
The process of creating an offspring
Example: Different organisms have different reproductive cycles
Variation
Differences in traits between organisms within a species, or differences in traits of organisms in different species.
Example: birds have a variety of beaks
Homologous Pair
Genes that are approximately the same size, and they contain the same types of genes in the same locations
Progesterone
Female hormone, produced in the corpus luteum, maintains the uterus lining
