Molecular Biology

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Molecular Biology (1)

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The study of life using techniques that reveal its molecular make-up.

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Molecular Genetics (1)

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Genetics as it is viewed at the level of molecules; in particular involving the structure and sequences of the nucleic acids which carry genetic information.

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Human Genome Project (1)

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Government supported project with the goal of determining the complete sequence of the genetic information in humans and other species.

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DNA (1)

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Deoxyribonucleic acid. Nucleic acid polymer of which the genes are made. The molecule that stores genetic information.

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Genetically Engineered (1)

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Having a purposeful change in the DNA to provide a desired outcome.

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Bacteria (2)

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Primative, relatively simple, single-celled organisms often used by molecular biologists.

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Prokaryotes (2)

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Lower organisms like bacteria with a primitive type of cell containing a single chromosome and having no nuclear membrane.

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Eukaryotes (2)

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Higher organisms with advanced cells which have more than one chromosome within a compartment called the nucleus.

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Genus (2)

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A group of closely related species.

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Species (2)

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A group of closely related organisms with a relatively recent common ancestor.

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Antibiotics (2)

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Chemical substances that kill bacteria selectively; that is, without killing the patient, too.

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Penicillin (2)

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The most famous antibiotic, is made by a mold called Penicillium, which grows on bread, producing a blue layer of fungas.

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Virus (2)

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Extremely small entity that grows only by infecting another cell.

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Bacteriophage (2)

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Virus that preys on bacteria.

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Immunization (2)

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Process of preparing the immune system for future infection by treating the patient with weak or killed versions of an infectious agent.

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Gregor Mendel (3)

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Discovered the basic laws of genetics by crossing pea plants.

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Gene (3)

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A unit of genetic information.

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Allele (3)

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One particular version of a gene.

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Protein (3)

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A polymer made from amino acids; they make up most of the structures in the cell and also do most of the work.

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Enzyme (3)

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A protein which carries out a chemical reaction.

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Mutation (3)

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An alteration in the genetic information carried by a gene.

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Mutant (3)

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Organism carrying a mutated gene.

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Wild-type (3)

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The original or "natural" version of a gene or organism.

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Null Allele (3)

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Mutant version of a gene which completely lacks any activity.

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Phenotype (3)

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The visible effect of the genotype.

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Genotype (3)

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The total genetic make-up of an organism.

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Epistasis (3)

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When a mutation in one gene masks the effect of alterations in another gene.

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Chromosome (3)

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Structure bearing the genes of a cell and made of a single molecule of DNA.

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Haploid (3)

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Having one copy of each gene.

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Diploid, Triploid and Tetraploid (3)

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Having two, three or four copies of each gene respectively.

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Dominant Allele (3)

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The allele whose properties are expressed as the phenotype.

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Recessive Allele (3)

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The allele whose properties are not observed because they are masked by the dominant allele.

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Homozygous (3)

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Having two identical alleles of the same gene.

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Heterozygous (3)

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Having two different alleles of the same gene.

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Gametes (3)

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Cells specialized for sexual reproduction and which are haploid.

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Somatic Cells (3)

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Cells making up the body and which are usually diploid.

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Meiosis (3)

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Formation of haploid gametes from diploid parent cells.

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Zygote (3)

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Cell formed by union of sperm and egg which develops into a new individual.

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Filial Generations (3)

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Successive generations of descendants from a genetic cross which are numbered F1, F2 etc. to help keep track of them.

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Mendelian Ratios (3)

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Whole number ratios found as a result of a genetic cross.

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Sex-linked (3)

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A gene is sex-linked when it is carried on one of the sex chromosomes.

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Partial Dominance (3)

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When a functional allele only partly masks a defective allele.

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Co-dominance (3)

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When two functional alleles both contribute to the observed properties.

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Linkage (3)

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Two genes are linked when they are on the same DNA moleule (on same chromosome).

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Crossing-Over (3)

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When two different strands of DNA are broken and are then joined to one another.

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Recombination (3)

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Mixing of genetic information from two chromosomes as a result of crossing over.

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Natural Selection (26)

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The evolutionary proces in which the unfit fail to reproduce.

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Acquired Characteristics (26)

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Properties which develop as a result of exercise or effort during your own lifetime.

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Circa 10,000 BC (26)

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Wolves were tamed and mankind's first animal breeding experiments eventually produced the dog.

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Taxomony (25)

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The science of naming and classification.

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Species (25)

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A group of closely related organisms with a relatively recent common ancestor.

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Species (25)

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A group of closely related organisms with a relatively recent common ancestor.

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Genus (plural, Genera) (25)

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Next level of organization up from the species; a goup of related species.