chapter 2.1 Flashcards
zygote
the new cell formed by the process of fertilization
genes
the basic unit of genetic information
DNA
the substance that genes are composed of that determines the nature of every cell in the body and how each will function
chromosomes
rod shaped portions of dna that are organized in 23 pairs
mitosis
the replication of most types of cells, nearly all the cells of the body will contain the same 46 chromosomes as the zygote
meiosis
each gamete receives one of the two chromosomes that make up each of the 23 pairs
monozygotic twins
twins produced by a single fertilized ovum
dizygotic twins
twins who are produced when two separate ova are fertilized by two separate sperm at roughly the same time
dominant trait
the one trait that is expressed when two competing traits are present
recessive trait
a trait within an organism that is present, but is not expressed
genotype
the underlying combination of genetic material present (but not outwardly visible) in an organism
phenotype
an observable trait; the trait that actually is seen
homozygous trait
inheriting from parents similar genes for a given trait
heterozygous trait
inheriting from parents different forms of a gene for a given trait
pku
an inherited disorder in which a child is unable to make use of phenylalanine, an essential amino acid present in proteins found in milk and other foods
polygenic inheritance
inheritance in which a combination of multiple gene pairs is responsible for the production of a particular trait
reaction range
the potential degree of variability in the expression of a trait due to environmental conditions
x-linked genes
genes that are considered recessive and located only on the x chromosome
behavioural genetics
studies the effects of heredity on behaviour
spontaneous mutation
genes spontaneously change their form
down’s syndrom
a disorder produced by the presence of an extra chromosome on the twenty-first pair; once referred to as mongolism
fragile x syndrome
a disorder produced by injury to a gene on the x chromosome, producing mild to moderate intellectual impairment
sickle-cell anemia
a blood disorder that gets its name from the shape of the red blood cells in those who have it
tay-sachs disease
a disorder that produces blindness and muscle degeneration prior to death: there is no treatment