Biology Terminology

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Genetics

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Genetics is the study of genes, geneticvariation, and heredity in living organisms.

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Cells

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Basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms. A cell is the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently.

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Prokaryotes

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a microscopic single-celled organism which has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles, including the bacteria and cyanobacteria.

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Eukaryotes

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any organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes

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Organelles

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An organelle is a tiny cellular structure that performs specific functions within a cell. Organelles are are embedded within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In the more complex eukaryotic cells, organelles are often enclosed by their own membrane.

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Mutation

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the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form which may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes

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Amino Acid

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There are obviously many types of proteins, but they are all made from amino acids bonded together by the dehydration synthesis. By continually adding amino acids, called peptides, two amino acids join together to form dipeptides; as more peptides join together, they form polypeptides

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Protein

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Proteins are organic compounds that contain the element nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Proteins are the most diverse group of biologically important substances and are often considered to be the central compound necessary for life.

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Genes

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Basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes, which are made up of DNA, act as instructions to make molecules called proteins. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases.

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Chromosomes

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a thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

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DNA

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Deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.

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Haploid

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

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Diploid

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

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Traits

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a genetically determined characteristic.

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Dominant Genes

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Relationship between alleles of one gene, which the effect if one phenotype of one allele masks the contribution of a second allele at the same locus. The first allele is dominant the second, is recessive

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Recessive Genes

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A recessive gene is a gene that can be masked by a dominant gene. In order to have a trait that is expressed by a recessive gene, such as blue eyes, you must get the gene for blue eyes from both of your parents. You might remember the word recessive from biology, where it most often appears.

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Alleles

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

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Phenotype

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

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Genotype

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The genotype is the set of genes in our DNA which is responsible for a particular trait. The phenotype is the physical expression, or characteristics, of that trait. For example, two organisms that have even the minutest difference in their genes are said to have different genotypes.

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Homozygous

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When an individual has two of the same allele, whether dominant or recessive, they are homozygous. Heterozygous means having one each of two different alleles.

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Heterozygous

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An allele can be dominant or recessive. Individuals, meanwhile, can be homozygous or heterozygous: individuals who are homozygous for a certain gene carry two copies of the same allele. individuals who are heterozygous for a certain gene carry two different alleles.

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Mitosis

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Mitosis is a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells (cell division). During mitosis one cell? divides once to form two identical cells. The major purpose of mitosis is for growth and to replace worn out cells.

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Autosome

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any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.

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Meiosis

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Meiosis is the process whereby chromosomes are copied, paired up and separated to create eggs or sperm. Credit: NIGMS. Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that produces reproductive cells, such as plant and fungal spores, sperm and egg cells

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Gametes

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