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43 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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DNA
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Deoxyribonucleic Acid. The molecule that contains the chemical instructions for cells to manufacture various proteins.
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Chromosome
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One of the 46 molecules of DNA (in 23 pairs) that each cell of the human body contains and that, together, contain all the genes. Other species have more or fewer chromosomes.
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Gene
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A section of a chromosome and the basic unit for the transmission of heredity, consisting of a string of chemicals that code for the manufacture of certain proteins.
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Genome
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The full set of genes that are the instructions to make an individual member of a certain species.
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Gamete
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A reproductive cell; that is, a sperm or ovum that can produce a new individual if it combines with a gamete from the other sex to make a zygote.
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Zygote
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The single cell formed from the fusing of two gametes, a sperm and an ovum.
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Genotype
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An organism's entire genetic inheritance, or genetic potential.
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Allele
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A slight, normal variation of a particular gene.
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23rd Pair
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The chromosome pair that, in humans, determines the zygote's (and hence the person's) sex. The other 22 pairs are autosomes, the same whether the 23 pair is for a male or female.
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XX
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A 23rd chromosome pair consisting of two x-shaped chromosomes, one each from the mother and the father. XX zygotes become female embryos, female fetuses, and girls.
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XY
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A 23rd chromosome pair consisting of an X-shaped chromosome from the mother and a Y-shaped chromosome from the father. XY zygotes become male embryos, male fetuses, and boys.
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Spontaneous Abortion
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The naturally occuring termination of a pregnancy before the embryo or fetus is fully developed. Also called miscarriage.
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Induced Abortion
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The intentional termination of a pregnancy.
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Phynotype
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The observable characterstics of a person, including appearance, personality, intelligence, and all other traits.
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Polygenic
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Referring to a trait that is influenced by many genes.
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Multifactorial
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Referring to a trait that is affected by many factors, both genetic and environmental.
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Human Genome Project
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An international effort to map the complete human genetic code. This effort was essentially completed in 2001, though analysis is ongoing.
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Additive Gene
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A gene that has several alleles, each of which contributes to the final phenotype (such as skin color or height).
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Dominant-recessive Pattern
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The interaction of a pair of alleles in such a way that the phenotype reveals the influence of one allele (the dominant gene) more than that of the other (recessive gene).
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X-linked
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Referring to a gene carried on the X chromosome. If a boy inherits an X-linked recessive trait from his mother, he expresses that trait, since the Y from his father has no counteracting gene. Girls are more likely to be carriers of X-linked traits but are less likely to express them.
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Monozygotic (MZ) Twins
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Twins who originate from one zygote that splits apart very early in development. Also called identical twins. Other monozygotic multiple births (for example, quadruplets) can occur as well.
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Dizygotic (DZ) Twins
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Twins who are formed when two separate ova are fertilized by two separate sperm at roughly the same time. Also called fraternal twins.
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Clone
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An organism that is produced from another organism through artificial replication of cells and is genetically identical to that organism.
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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
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Fertilization that takes place outside a woman's body (as in a glass laboratory dish. Sperm are mixed with ova that have been surgically removed from the woman's ovary. If the combination produces a zygote, it is inserted into the woman's uterus, where it may implant and develop into a baby.
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Infertility
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The inability to produce a baby after at least a year of trying to conceive via sexual intercourse.
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Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
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A general term for the techniques designed to help infertile couples conceive and then sustain a pregnancy.
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Carrier
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A person whose genotype includes a gene that is not expressed in the phenotype. Such an unexpressed gene occurs in half of the carrier's gametes and thus is passed on to half of the carrier's children, who will most likely be carriers, too. Generally, only when the gene is inherited from both parents does the characteristic appear in the phenotype.
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Type 2 Diabetes
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A chronic disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin to adequately metabolize carbohydrates (glucose). It was once called adult-onset diabetes because it typically developed in people aged 50 to 60; today, however, it often appears in younger people.
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Mosaic
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Having a condition that involves having a mixture of cells, some normal and some with an odd number of chromosomes or a series of missing genes.
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Down Syndrome
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A condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usualy 46, with three rather than two chromosomes at the 21st position. People with this condition typically have distinctive characteristics, including unusual facial features, heart abnormalities, and language difficulities. Also called trisomy 21.
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Fragile X Syndrome
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A genetic disorder in which part of the X chromosome seems to be attached to the rest of it by a very thin string of molecules. The actual cause is too many repetitions of a particular part of a gene's code.
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Genetic Counseling
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Consultation and testing by trained experts that enable individuals to learn about their genetic heritage, including harmful conditions that they might pass along to any children they may conceive.
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Phenylketonuria (PKU)
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A genetic disorder in which a child's body is unable to metabolize an amino acid called phenylalanine. Unless phenylalanine is eliminated from the child's diet, the resulting buildup of that substance in body fluids causes brain damage, progressive mental retardation, and other symptoms.
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How many genes does the human genome contain?
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25,000
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What are the relationships among proteins, genes, chromosomes, and the genome?
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The work of cells is done by proteins. Each cell manufactures certain proteins according to instructions stored at the heart of each cell in molecules of DNA. Each molecule of DNA is called a chromosome and these chromosomes contain the instructions to make all the proteins that a living being needs. Chromosomes are organized into units called genes, with each gene located on a particular chromosome. The entire packet of instructions to make a living organism is called the genome.
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Genetically speaking, how similar are people to one another and to other animals?
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99 percent of our 25,000 genes are present in the genomes of other creatures as well.
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What are four generalities about the genotype-phenotype interaction that virtually all developmentalists accept?
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1) Genes affect every aspect of human behavior, including social and cognitive behavior. 2) Most environmental influences on children raised in the same home are NOT shared 3) Each child's genes elicit other people's responses, and these responses shape development (a child's environment is partly the result of his or her genes) 4) Children, adolescents, and especially adults choose environments that are compatible with their genes (niche-picking) and thus genetic influences increase in adulthood.
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Describe 4 situations in which couples should seek genetic counseling and testing.
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1) Individuals who have a parent, sibling, or child with a serious genetic condition, 2) couples who have a history of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, or infertility, 3) Couples from the same ethnic group, particularly if they are relatives, 4) Women age 35 or older and men age 40 or older
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Describe the most common chromosomal and genetic disorders.
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Often a gamet has few or more than 23 chromosomes but the zygotes usually do not develop then. Down syndrome or Trisomy-21 and an odd number of sex chromosomes are the two most common abnormalities. Turner syndrome is only one X in girls (XO), Klinefelter syndrome is XXY in boys. Neither will develop functional sex organs.
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Discuss the interaction of genes and environment in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
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Without genes, no behavior could exist. But without environment, no gene could be expressed.
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Discuss the interaction of genes and environment in the development of alcoholism.
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Inherited biochemistry makes some people vulnerable to various addictions. Genes create an addictive pull that can be overpowering, extremely weak, or somewhere in between. The brain patterns of alcoholics children differ from others, even if they have never consumed alcohol. Certain personality traits like a quick temper, a readiness to take risks, and a high level of anxiety also make a person more likely to drink and use drugs. Certain contexts or environments make it more likely for a person to drink. Culture plays a role in activating genes or keeping a predisposition dormant.
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Discuss the interaction of genes and environment in the development of schizophrenia.
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Schizophrenia probably results from many genes. Each unique combination of genes results in various types, severity, and developmental patterns of schizophrenia. Each person's unique experiences also affects every mental illness differently.
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Genetics
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The science concerned with the mechanisms of biological inheritance.
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