Spec Definitions Flashcards
Antigen
A molecule that triggers an immune response by lymphocytes.
Antibody
A protein produced by lymphocytes in response to the presence of the appropriate antigen.
Gene
Section of DNA on a chromosome coding for one or more polypeptides.
Genome
Complete set of genes in a cell.
Proteome
Full range of proteins that a cell is able to produce.
Genetic Diversity
Number of different alleles of genes in a population.
Species
A group of similar organisms that can breed together to produce fertile offspring.
Species Richness
Measure of the number of different species in a community.
Biomass
The total (dry) mass of living material, normally measured in a specific area over a given period of time.
Gross Primary Production (GPP)
Chemical store in plant biomass, in a given area or volume, in a given time.
Net Primary Production (NPP)
Gross Primary Production (GPP) - Respiration (R).
Chemical energy store in plant biomass after respiratory losses to the environment have been taken into account.
Net Production of Consumers (N)
Chemical energy store in indigested food (I) - (Lost in faeces (F) + Respiratory Loss (R) )
Genotype
Genetic constitution of an organism.
Phenotype
Expression of genetic constitution and its interaction with the environment.
Population
A group of individuals of the same species that occupy the same habitat at the same time.
Gene Pool
The total number of alleles in a particular population at a specific time.
Allele Frequency
Number of times an allele occurs in a gene pool.
Evolution
Change in the allele frequencies in a population.
Ecosystem
All the living and nonliving components of a particular area.
Habitat
The place where an organism normally lives and which is characterised by physical conditions and the type of other organisms present.
Gene mutation
A change to one or more nucleotide bases in DNA resulting in a change in genotype which may be inherited.
Transcription
Formation of mRNA molecules from the DNA that makes up a particular gene.
Epigenetics
Environmental factors cause heritable changes in gene function without changing the base sequence of DNA.
Tumour Suppressor Gene
A gene that maintains normal rates of cell division and prevents the development of tumours.
