B13-Reproduction Flashcards
(57 cards)
What is asexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent. The cells divide by mitosis, resulting in genetically identical offspring known as clones.
What is sexual reproduction?
Sexual reproduction involves two parents. Male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote, which develops into a new individual with genetic variation.
What is the genetic outcome of sexual reproduction?
Offspring with genetic variation, inheriting traits from both parents.
What are gametes?
Special sex cells (sperm and egg in animals, pollen and egg cells in plants) that fuse during sexual reproduction.
Why is variation important in sexual reproduction?
Variation is key to the long-term survival of a species as it allows for adaptation to changing environments.
What happens to the chromosome number during fertilization in humans?
The zygote has 46 chromosomes, the usual number, after the fusion of egg and sperm.
What is a zygote?
The cell formed by the fusion of two gametes during sexual reproduction.
What is meiosis?
Meiosis is a type of cell division that halves the number of chromosomes in gametes, resulting in four genetically different gametes.
Meiosis introduces variation by producing gametes with random mixtures of the original chromosomes, and each gamete is genetically different.
What are alleles?
Alleles are different forms of the same gene, which contribute to variation in the characteristics of offspring.
Advantages of asexual reporudcion
Time and energy efficient, only one parent
How do fungi typically reproduce?
Fungi typically reproduce asexually through spores produced by mitosis, but can reproduce sexually under adverse conditions to introduce variation.
How do plants reproduce sexually?
Plants reproduce sexually through flowers, where pollen (male gamete) fertilizes egg cells (female gamete), leading to seed formation and genetic variation.
How do plants reproduce asexually?
Plants can reproduce asexually through methods like runners (e.g., strawberries) or bulb division (e.g., daffodils), producing genetically identical offspring.
What is the role of DNA in inheritance?
DNA contains the genetic information that determines inherited characteristics, with genes coding for specific proteins that control cell functions.
What is the structure of DNA?
DNA is a double helix made up of nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar, a phosphate, and one of four bases (A, C, G, T).
What is a nucleotide?
A nucleotide is the basic unit of DNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases (A, C, G, T).
How does DNA control protein synthesis?
DNA sequences code for amino acids, which are assembled into proteins. The order of bases in DNA determines the order of amino acids, shaping the protein’s function.
What is the human genome?
The human genome is the complete set of genetic material in humans, including all chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA, containing over 3 billion base pairs and around 21,000 genes.
Why is understanding the human genome important?
It helps in understanding inherited disorders, predicting disease risks, developing treatments, and tracing human evolution and migration patterns
What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors and non-coding DNA influence gene expression and how genes interact with the environment.
How do mutations contribute to evolution?
Mutations introduce genetic variation, which can lead to new traits that may provide a survival advantage, driving natural selection and evolution.
What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
Ribosomes are the cellular structures where protein synthesis occurs, using the template provided by DNA to assemble amino acids into proteins.
What is the significance of the shape of a protein?
The shape of a protein determines its function, such as the active site of an enzyme, the structure of collagen, or the role of hormones and clotting factors.