Chapter 2 Flashcards
DNA
The complex molecule that is the constituent of genes
Chromosome
Structures in the nucleus of each cell that contain the genes, the units of hereditary transmission. Human has 46 chromosomes (23pairs)
Gene
A section of a DNA molecule that contains instructions for how and when to assemble protein, genes are located on chromosomes
Genotype
The complete set of an organism’s genes
Phenotype
The overt characteristics and behaviors of an organism
Allele
An alternative form of a specific gene
Dominant
A term for a gene that directs the development of a particular characteristic even when the corresponding Gene on the other chromosome is different
Recessive
A term for a gene that directs the development of a particular characteristic only if the corresponding gene on the other chromosome matches it
Polygenic Inheritance
A pattern in which many genes all influence a Single trait
Proximate Cause
The influences within an organism’s lifetime that led to its particular traits or behaviors
Ultimate cause
The reasons why over many years of evolution a particular trait or behavior helped members of a population to survive and reproduce
Natural Selection
The mechanism that drives biological evolution. it refers to the greater likelihood of successful reproduction for organisms whose attributes are advantage in a given environment
Naturalistic Fallacy
The mistaken idea that anything natural must be good
Mutations
Errors in the replication of DNA
Niche construction
The process in which organisms, through their own behaviors, alter the environment and create their own circumstances
