Bio Note Cards '12

Front 1

Chromosomes

Back 1

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes

Front 2

Histone

Back 2

Any of a group of basic proteins found in chromatin

Front 3

Chromatid

Back 3

Each of the two threadlike strands into which a chromosome divides longitudinally during cell division. Each contains a double helix of DNA

Front 4

Centromere

Back 4

The point on a chromosome by which it is attached to a spindle fiber during cell division

Front 5

Sex Chromosome

Back 5

A chromosome involved with determining the sex of an organism, typically one of two kinds

Front 6

Autosome

Back 6

Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome

Front 7

Homologous Chromosomes

Back 7

Pairing at meiosis and having the same structural features and pattern of genes

Front 8

Karyotype

Back 8

The number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism or species

Front 9

Binary fission

Back 9

A type of asexual reproduction common among prokaryotes wherein a cell divides giving rise to two cells, each having the potential to grow to the size of the original cell.

Front 10

Mitosis

Back 10

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth

Front 11

Asexaul reproduction

Back 11

A mode of reproduction involving the fusion of female gamete and male gamete which forms a zygote that potentially develops into genetically distinct offspring.

Front 12

Meiosis

Back 12

A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes and plant spores

Front 13

Gamete

Back 13

A mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote

Front 14

Interphase

Back 14

The resting phase between successive mitotic divisions of a cell, or between the first and second divisions of meiosis

Front 15

Cytokinesis

Back 15

The cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells

Front 16

Prophase

Back 16

The first stage of cell division, before metaphase, during which the chromosomes become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope disappears. The first prophase of meiosis includes the reduction division

Front 17

Spindle Fibers

Back 17

Spindle fibers are aggregates of microtubules that move chromosomes during cell division.

Front 18

Metaphase

Back 18

The second stage of cell division, between prophase and anaphase, during which the chromosomes become attached to the spindle fibers

Front 19

Anaphase

Back 19

The stage of meiotic or mitotic cell division in which the chromosomes move away from one another to opposite poles of the spindle

Front 20

Telophase

Back 20

The final phase of cell division, between anaphase and interphase, in which the chromatids or chromosomes move to opposite ends of the cell and two nuclei are formed

Front 21

Synapsis

Back 21

The fusion of chromosome pairs at the start of meiosis

Front 22

Tetrad

Back 22

A group of four closely associated chromatids of a homologous pair formed by synapsis.

Front 23

Chromatin

Back 23

The material of which the chromosomes of organisms other than bacteria (i.e., eukaryotes) are composed. It consists of protein, RNA, and DNA

Front 24

Diploid

Back 24

Containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent

Front 25

Haploid

Back 25

Having a single set of unpaired chromosomes

Front 26

Crossing - Over

Back 26

A process occurring during meiosis wherein two chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material.

Front 27

Genetic Recombination

Back 27

The process of forming new allelic combination in offspring by exchanges between genetic materials (as exchange of DNA sequences between DNA molecules).

Front 28

Independent assortment

Back 28

(genetics) The process of random segregation and assortment of chromosomes during anaphase I of meiosis resulting in the production of genetically unique gametes.

Front 29

Spermatogenesis

Back 29

The production or development of mature spermatozoa.

Front 30

Oogenesis

Back 30

The production or development of an ovum

Front 31

Polar Body

Back 31

Each of the small cells that bud off from an oocyte at the two meiotic divisions and do not develop into ova

Front 32

Sexual reproduction

Back 32

The production of new living organisms by combining genetic information from two individuals of different types (sexes). In most higher organisms, one sex (male) produces a small motile gamete that travels to fuse with a larger stationary gamete produced by the other (female)