Vocabulary(genetics)

Question 1

allele

Answer 1

An allele is a variant of the sequence of nucleotide at a particular location, or locus, on a DNA molecule.

Question 2

centromere

Answer 2

The region of the chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during cell division

Question 3

chromatid

Answer 3

one of the two identical halves of a chromosome that has been replicated in preparation for cell division.

Question 4

chromosome

Answer 4

A structure found inside the nucleus of a cell.

Question 5

codon (chart)

Answer 5

a chart of all the codons and the amino acids they stand for.

Question 6

crossing over

Answer 6

the exchange of DNA between paired homologous chromosomes (one from each parent) that occurs during the development of egg and sperm cells (meiosis).

Question 7

daughter cell

Answer 7

the cells that are formed after cell division.

Question 8

deletion

Answer 8

a mutation that deletes one of the nucleotide and replaces its position.

Question 9

Diploid

Answer 9

the presence of two complete sets of chromosomes in an organism’s cells, with each parent contributing a chromosome to each pair.

Question 10

DNA

Answer 10

the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.

Question 11

fertilization

Answer 11

the union of two gametes.

Question 12

frameshift

Answer 12

a genetic mutation caused by a deletion or insertion in a DNA sequence that shifts the way the sequence is read.

Question 13

gamete

Answer 13

a reproductive cell of an animal or plant.

Question 14

gene

Answer 14

The basic unit of heredity passed from parent to child.

Question 15

gene mutation

Answer 15

a change to a gene’s DNA sequence

Question 16

genetic code

Answer 16

The genetic code is the set of rules used by living cells to translate information encoded within genetic material into proteins.

Question 17

genetic variation

Answer 17

presence of differences in sequences of genes

Question 18

haploid

Answer 18

the presence of a single set of chromosomes in an organism’s cells.

Question 19

homologous chromosome

Answer 19

pairs of chromosomes in a diploid organism that have similar genes, although not necessarily identical.

Question 20

independent assortment

Answer 20

the alleles of two (or more) different genes get sorted into gametes independently of one another.

Question 21

insertion

Answer 21

a type of mutation that involves the addition of one or more nucleotides into a segment of DNA.

Question 22

meiosis

Answer 22

a type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes.

Question 23

meiosis I

Answer 23

a type of cell division unique to germ cells.

Question 24

meiosis II

Answer 24

the second division in meiosis in which chromatids of each chromosome are segregated equally into daughter cells.

Question 25

monosomy

Answer 25

the absence of one member of a pair of chromosomes.

Question 26

mutagen

Answer 26

a chemical or physical agent capable of inducing changes in DNA called mutations

Question 27

mutation

Answer 27

A mutation is a change in a DNA sequence.

Question 28

nondisjunction

Answer 28

a pair of homologous chromosomes has failed to separate or segregate at anaphase so that both chromosomes of the pair pass to the same daughter cell.

Question 29

offspring

Answer 29

the young creation of living organisms, produced either by sexual or asexual reproduction.

Question 30

parent cell

Question 31

point mutation

Answer 31

occurs in a genome when a single base pair is added, deleted or changed.

Question 32

replication

Answer 32

DNA replication is the process by which the genome’s DNA is copied in cells.

Question 33

sexual reproduction

Answer 33

the production of new organisms by the combination of genetic information of two individuals of different sexes.

Question 34

somatic cell

Answer 34

the cells in the body other than sperm and egg cells,

Question 35

substitution

Answer 35

a type of mutation in which one nucleotide is replaced by a different nucleotide.

Question 36

trisomy

Answer 36

the presence of an extra chromosome — or three instead of the usual pair.

Question 37

trait

Answer 37

a specific characteristic of an individual.