Meiosis Flashcards
chromosome
a long continuous thread of DNA that consists of numerous genes and regulatory information; 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans
meiosis
a type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes (the sex cells, or egg and sperm)
genetic variation
differences in physical traits of an individual from the group in which it belongs; genetic variation is enhanced by sexual reproduction
trait
characteristic that is inherited; eye color or hair color are traits inherited from parents
gene
specific region of DNA that codes for a particiular protein; part of DNA that controls inherited traits
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
molecule that stores genetic information in all organisms
protein synthesis
the formation of proteins by using information contained in DNA and carried by mRNA; allows cells to build proteins
gene expression
the manifestation of the genetic material of an organism in the form of specific traits; information in genes
gametes
sex cells; have half the chromosomes of body cells
homologous chromosomes
chromosomes that share: The same structural features (e.g. same size, same banding patterns
chromatids
each of the two threadlike strands into which a chromosome divides longitudinally during cell division.
crossing over
the exchange of chromosome segments between homologous chromosomes
haploid
having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.
diploid
containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.