Biology: Genetics

Front 1

Genetics

Back 1

The science of heredity, dealing with resemblances and differences of related organisms resulting from the interaction of their genes and the environment.

Front 2

Cell

Back 2

The basic structural unit of living things that is made up of cytoplasm enclosed by a membrane. Includes a nucleus and other smaller parts which perform specific functions necessary for life.

Front 3

Prokaryote

Back 3

An organism that is usually unicellular and has no organised nucleus or organelles.

Front 4

Eukaryote

Back 4

An organism whose cells have a true nucleus and organelles.

Front 5

Organelles

Back 5

Organised or specialised structures that carry out their own specific functions within a cell. E.g. nucleus, mitochondria, vesicles

Front 6

Mutation

Back 6

A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence either due to mistakes when the DNA is copied or as a result of environmental factors such as UV light, cigarette smoke or radiation.

Front 7

Chromosome

Back 7

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 8

DNA

Back 8

It is the carrier of genetic information.

Front 9

Haploid

Back 9

a cell or nucleus having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.

Front 10

Diploid

Back 10

a cell or nucleus containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Front 11

Traits

Back 11

a genetically determined characteristic.

Front 12

Dominant genes

Back 12

whereby, in an individual containing two allelic forms of a gene, one is expressed to the exclusion of the other.

Front 13

Recessive genes

Back 13

heritable characteristics controlled by genes that are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parents, i.e., when not masked by a dominant characteristic inherited from one parent.

Front 14

Alleles

Back 14

one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.

Front 15

Phenotypes

Back 15

the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Front 16

Genotype

Back 16

the genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Front 17

Homozygous

Back 17

when an individual having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes and so breeding true for the corresponding characteristic.

Front 18

Heterozygous

Back 18

when an individual having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes, and so giving rise to varying offspring.

Front 19

Mitosis

Back 19

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 20

Autosome

Back 20

any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.

Front 21

Meiosis

Back 21

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 22

Gametes

Back 22

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 23

DNA

Back 23

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): A molecule where the genetic code is written. Your features and traits that are inherited and passed on from one generation to another in the form of a genetic code. It is located in the nucleus of all of your cells and are the instructions that made you up.

Front 24

Nucleotides

Back 24

Nucleotides: Nucleotides are building blocks that make up DNA molecules. Each nucleotide has three parts: Phosphate, Sugar and Nitrogenous base. The bases in a nucleotide can change.

Front 25

Nitrogenous bases

Back 25

The bases that can be found in DNA. There are 4 possible bases that can exists which are: 1. Adenine (A) 2. Thymine (T) 3. Cytosine (C) 4. Guanine (G)

Front 26

Complementary base pairs

Back 26

either of the nucleotide bases linked by a hydrogen bond on opposite strands of DNA. guanine is the complementary base of cytosine, and adenine is the complementary base of thymine in DNA.

Front 27

Hydrogen bonding

Back 27

Internal and external hydrogen bonds stabilize the DNA molecule. The two strands of DNA stay together by Hydrogen bonds that occur between complementary nucleotide base pairs. Two hydrogen bonds occur between the adenosine and the thymine base pairs, and between the cytosine and the guanine there are three.

Front 28

Organelles

Back 28

A cellular structures that performs specific functions within a cell.

Front 29

Eukaryotes:

Back 29

Organisms whose cells contain an organized nucleus.

Front 30

Cell theory

Back 30

The cell theory states that all living things are made of cells, that cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things and that living cells come only from other living cells.

Front 31

Ribosomes

Back 31

They build and synthesize proteins for the cell.

Front 32

Cytoplasm

Back 32

It is a fluid that fills the cell and gives the cell its shape. It is the site for most of the cell's biochemical reactions. The organelles are what the organelles are suspended in. The cell's cytoplasm is responsible for storing the chemicals and nutrients and providing a good environment for cellular organelles to perform their functions. It also helps the cell expand during reproduction.

Front 33

Plasma membrane

Back 33

Protects the cells from its surroundings and regulates the movement of substances in and out of cells.