Topic 3 - Genetics - Definitions And Concepts Flashcards

1
Q

What is an allele?

A

A version of a gene.

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2
Q

Define amino acids.

A

Small molecules from which proteins are assembled.

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3
Q

What is an anticodon?

A

A triplet sequence of bases on a tRNA molecule that is complementary to a specific codon in mRNA.

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4
Q

What type of reproduction is asexual reproduction?

A

A form of reproduction involving a single parent that creates genetically identical offspring.

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5
Q

What is a base triplet?

A

A sequence of three bases in a gene that codes for a particular amino acid.

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6
Q

What are the blood groups classified as?

A

A, B, or O based on surface antigens on red blood cells and the presence of certain antibodies in the plasma.

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7
Q

What is a chromosome?

A

A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

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8
Q

Define coding DNA.

A

A sequence of DNA that codes for the production of a protein.

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9
Q

What is codominance?

A

When both alleles for a gene in a heterozygous organism equally contribute to the phenotype.

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10
Q

What is complementary base pairing?

A

Describes how weak hydrogen bonds form between complementary base pairs.

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11
Q

What does detergent do in DNA extraction?

A

A chemical that is used to disrupt cell membranes.

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12
Q

What is a diploid cell?

A

A cell that contains two copies of each chromosome.

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13
Q

Define DNA.

A

A double-stranded polymer, wound to form a double helix, that carries the genetic code.

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: A _______ is a triplet sequence of bases on a tRNA molecule.

A

anticodon

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15
Q

True or False: A base triplet is also known as a codon.

A

True

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16
Q

What is a dominant allele?

A

An allele that is always expressed. Represented by a capital letter.

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17
Q

Define environmental variation.

A

Differences in phenotype acquired during the lifespan of an organism due to environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, climate, exposure to light.

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18
Q

What is a family pedigree?

A

A chart used to show the inheritance of genetic disorders in a family.

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19
Q

What occurs during fertilisation?

A

The fusion of the nucleus of male and female gametes, restoring the full chromosome number.

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20
Q

What are gametes?

A

Sex cells (sperm and egg cells) with half the usual number of chromosomes.

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21
Q

Define a gene.

A

A length of DNA on a chromosome that codes for the production of a specific protein.

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22
Q

What is genetic variation?

A

Differences in the genotypes of organisms of the same species due to the presence of different alleles, arising through mutations and sexual reproduction.

23
Q

What does the term genome refer to?

A

The complete genetic material of an organism.

24
Q

What is a genotype?

A

An organism’s genetic composition, describing all alleles.

25
Q

What is a haploid cell?

A

A cell that contains a single copy of each chromosome, i.e., half the number of chromosomes.

26
Q

What does heterozygous mean?

A

Having two different alleles of a gene, e.g., Ff.

27
Q

What does homozygous mean?

A

Having two identical alleles of a gene, e.g., ff.

28
Q

What was the Human Genome Project?

A

An international research project that successfully mapped the entire human genome.

29
Q

What is meiosis?

A

A form of cell division that produces four genetically different daughter cells (gametes) with a haploid number of chromosomes.

30
Q

What is monohybrid inheritance?

A

The inheritance of a single gene.

31
Q

What is mRNA?

A

A polymer of nucleotides that carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.

32
Q

What are multiple alleles?

A

The existence of more than two alleles of a gene.

33
Q

What is a mutation?

A

A random change in the base sequence of DNA which may result in genetic variants.

34
Q

What is non-coding DNA?

A

DNA that does not code for a protein but controls gene expression.

35
Q

What are nucleotides?

A

The monomers of DNA consisting of a common sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four chemical bases (A, T, C, G).

36
Q

Fill in the blank: A _______ is a chart used to show the inheritance of genetic disorders in a family.

A

family pedigree

37
Q

True or False: A haploid cell contains two copies of each chromosome.

A

False

38
Q

Define phenotype

A

An organism’s observable characteristics due to interactions of the genotype and the environment

Phenotype encompasses traits such as morphology, development, and behavior.

39
Q

What is a protein?

A

A large molecule that is synthesised from amino acids

Proteins play critical roles in biological processes and are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs.

40
Q

What is protein synthesis?

A

The formation of a protein from a gene

This process involves transcription and translation.

41
Q

What is a Punnett square?

A

A grid used to predict the potential outcomes of a genetic cross

It helps in visualizing the genetic variations that can occur from parental crosses.

42
Q

Define recessive allele

A

An allele that is only expressed in the absence of a dominant allele

Represented by a small letter.

43
Q

What is a reproductive cycle?

A

The time required to produce independent offspring

This varies widely among different species.

44
Q

What are ribosomes?

A

Sub-cellular structures that are the site of protein synthesis

Ribosomes can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

45
Q

What is RNA polymerase?

A

An enzyme involved in transcription that binds to a region of non-coding DNA, unzips the DNA strands and joins free RNA nucleotides to complementary bases on the coding DNA strand

This enzyme is crucial for synthesizing mRNA from the DNA template.

46
Q

What are sex chromosomes?

A

A pair of chromosomes responsible for the determination of gender: XY in males, XX in females

They play a key role in sex determination and inheritance.

47
Q

Define sex-linked characteristic

A

A characteristic that is coded for by an allele found on a sex chromosome

These characteristics often show different patterns of inheritance in males and females.

48
Q

What is a sex-linked genetic disorder?

A

A disorder caused by a faulty allele located on a sex chromosome

Examples include hemophilia and color blindness.

49
Q

Define sexual reproduction

A

A form of reproduction that creates genetic variation, involving the fusion of male and female gametes

This process promotes genetic diversity among offspring.

50
Q

What is transcription?

A

The first stage of protein synthesis in which mRNA is formed from a DNA template

This process occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

51
Q

What is translation?

A

The second stage of protein synthesis that takes place in the ribosomes, where amino acids are joined in a specific order dictated by mRNA to form a protein

This stage translates the genetic code into a functional protein.

52
Q

What is ERNA?

A

An RNA molecule that carries specific amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis

ERNA is crucial for the assembly of proteins.

53
Q

Define variation in biology

A

The differences between individuals due to genes, the environment or a combination of both

Variation is essential for the process of natural selection.

54
Q

What is a zygote?

A

A diploid cell formed by the fusion of the nucleus of a male gamete with the nucleus of a female gamete

The zygote undergoes mitosis to develop into an embryo.