unit 2 AOS 1 genetics glossary Flashcards
cell
the basic unit of all iving things
nucleus
the ‘control center’ of the cell found in all eukaryote cells. It contains the instructions for the metabolism of the cell, its growth and division - the place where the codes to build proteins (genes) are located.
chromosomes
a strand of DNA found all living things, usually in the nucleus. All species have different numbers of chromosomes.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. It carries the code, and all the instructions for inheritance. It is made up of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group and four nitrogen bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine). It is arranged in a double helix and has a slightly negative charge.
autosome
Chromosomes are not involved in sex determination. Humans have two copies of each of the 22 different types of autosomes (44 in total.)
sex chromosomes
chromosomes involved in the determination. Humans have two of these - one large chromosome X and a smaller Y. Normal females have two X chromosomes, a normal male has an X an Y.
Karyotypes
is the complete set of chromsomes in an organism, arranged and displayed in a systematic way.
homologous chromosomes
A pair of matching chromosomes containing the same genes, one of maternal origin and one of paternal origin.
trisomy
three copies of a chromosome. Occurs as the result of faulty cell division at meiosis to form gametes. Down’s syndrome is also called trisomy
somatic cell
body cell, contains two sets of chromosomes
mitosis
cell division in somatic cells for growth and repair. One diploid parent cell produces two identical diploid daughter cells.
diploid
two sets of chromosomes - one maternal and one paternal in origin
meiosis
cell division in gonads to produce gametes. One diploid parent cell produces four non-identical haploid daughter cells called gametes for reproduction.
gonad
a general term for ovaries (female) and testes (male)
gamete
a general name for a ova or egg (female) and sperm (male)
haploid
one complete set of chromosomes. Gametes are the only haploid cells in humans
zygote
a new cell produced by the fusion of ovum and sperm cells - fertilisation
gene
a section of DNA along chromosomes that codes for one inherited trait. A gene is found on at a particular chromosome at a particular place or locus.
allele
one version of a gene. One gene can have a number of different alleles that may exist at the same locus. Each individual carries 2 copies of each autosome and so 2 alleles - which may be the same or different. A gene located on the X chromosome is not found on the Y: therefore males only get one allele for an X - linked gene
mutation
a change in DNA sequence for an allele caused by exposure to radiation or some chemicals. May be spontaneous. Mutations in gametes do not affect the individual producing them BUT can be passed down to the next subsequent generations. Mutations in somatic cells don’t get passed on.