Biology - inheritance Flashcards
how are gametes made
by cell division (meiosis)
what type of cells does meiosis produce
non- identical cells ( every sperm cell and egg cell are different )
what is fertilisation
The fusing of the egg and sperm to create a zygote
what is asexual reproduction
- reproduction that only requires one parent because there is no mixing of genetic information
- the cells divide by mitosis and the offspring are genetically identical (clones) of the parent
- ## asexual reproduction doesn’t involve gametes
what is sexual reproduction
requiring a male and female sex cell, the gametes fuse together to form a zygote, which develops to form offspring genetically different to both parents
(there is mixing of genetic information which leads to variation in the offspring.)
what is formed as a result of meiosis
4 gametes that are all genetically different from each other
what does haploid mean
has a single set of chromosomes, half the amount of normal body cells
what does diploid mean
having both sets of chromosomes, the correct number for normal body cells
where does meiosis take place
ONLY IN REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS ( testes in men and ovaries in females )
what are the stages of meiosis
- chromosome pairs line up along the cell equator
- the pair of chromosomes are separated and move to opposite poles of the cell ( the side to which each chromosome is pulled is random, creating variation
- chromosome number is halved
- chromosomes line up along the cell equator
- the chromatids are separated and move to opposite poles
- 4 unique haploids gametes are produced
describe fertilisation and the resulting outcome
- gametes join together to restore the normal number of chromosomes, and the new cell then divides by mitosis ( which increases the number of cells)
as the embryo develops , cells differentiate forming different cell types
why is meiosis important for sexual reproduction
- increases genetic variation
- ensures that the zygote formed at fertilisation is diploid
what are advantages of sexual reproduction
- the offspring receive a mixture of genetic information from two parents = produces variation in the offspring = if there are any changes in the environment then this variation = that some of the offspring may survive ( survival advantage by natural selection )
- natural selection can be speeded up by humans in selective breeding to increase food production. = high yield
what are the advantages of asexual reproduction
-only one parent needed
-more time and energy efficient as do not need to find a mate
-faster than sexual reproduction
- many identical offspring can be produced when conditions are favourable.
disadvantage of sexual reproduction
- two parents are required. this makes reproduction difficult in endangered populations
- more time and energy are required so fewer offspring are produced
disadvantages of asexual reproduction
- because all the offspring are genetically identical there is a risk they could all die if conditions become unfavourable
how do malarial parasites reproduce
reproduce asexually in the human host BUT reproduce sexually in the mosquito
how do fungi reproduce
Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation.
how do plants reproduce
Many plants produce seeds sexually but also reproduce asexually by runners such as strawberry plants, or bulb division such as daffodils.
where are chromosomes found
in the nucleus of the cell
what molecule do chromosomes contain
DNA
what is DNA
DNA is a polymer made up of two strands forming a double helix. The DNA is contained in structures called chromosomes.
what is a gene
small section of DNA on a chromosome
what is a genome
The genome of an organism is the entire genetic material of that organism