Chapter 4 - Vocabulary

Question 1

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 1

the production of offspring from a single parent; the genetic makeup of the offspring is identical to that of the parent.

Question 2

Autosomes

Answer 2

non-sex chromosomes.

Question 3

Biotechnology

Answer 3

the use and modification of organisms for applications in engineering, industry, and medicine.

Question 4

Chromatin

Answer 4

the tangled strands of DNA and protein within a eukaryotic nucleus.

Question 5

Cloning

Answer 5

the process of producing one individual that is genetically identical to another, using a single cell or tissue.

Question 6

Crossing Over

Answer 6

the exchange of chromosome segments between homologous pairs during synapsis.

Question 7

Cytokinesis

Answer 7

the process in which a eukaryotic cell divides its cytoplasm into two new daughter cells.

Question 8

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Answer 8

a molecule that carries genetic information in cells.

Question 9

Down Syndrome

Answer 9

a chromosomal abnormality in which an individual has three copies of chromosome number 21; also referred to as trisomy 21.

Question 10

Fertilization

Answer 10

the formation of a zygote by the joining together, or fusion, of two gametes.

Question 11

Fragmentation

Answer 11

a method of asexual reproduction in which a piece or body fragment of the parent organism develops into a mature individual.

Question 12

Gamete

Answer 12

a sex cell; includes sperm cells in males and egg cells in females.

Question 13

Gametogenesis

Answer 13

the production of gametes (sex cells) in animals

Question 14

Gene

Answer 14

a segment of a DNA molecule that codes for a particular trait; found at a specific location on a chromosome.

Question 15

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Answer 15

an organism in which the genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

Question 16

Genetics

Answer 16

the branch of biology dealing with heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Question 17

Heredity

Answer 17

the passing of traits from parents to offspring.

Question 18

Homologous Chromosomes

Answer 18

matching pairs of chromosomes, similar in size and carrying information for the same genes

Question 19

Interphase

Answer 19

the portion of the cell cycle between mitotic divisions when the genetic material (in the form of chromatin) is duplicated.

Question 20

Karyotype

Answer 20

the chromosomes of an individual that have been sorted and arranged according to size and type.

Question 21

Locus

Answer 21

the location of a gene on a chromosome.

Question 22

Maternal Inheritance

Answer 22

a type of inheritance in which a zygote formed from two gametes inherits cytoplasmic DNA from only the female gamete.

Question 23

Meiosis

Answer 23

a two-stage cell division in which the resulting daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell; results in the formation of gametes or spores.

Question 24

Mitosis

Answer 24

the process by which a eukaryotic cell divides the genetic material in its nucleus into two new identical nuclei.

Question 25

Monosomy

Answer 25

a chromosomal abnormality in which there is a single chromosome in place of a homologous pair.

Question 26

Nondisjunction

Answer 26

the failure of homologous chromosomes to move to opposite poles of the cell during meiosis; results in an abnormal number of chromosomes in the daughter cells.

Question 27

Oogenesis

Answer 27

the production of mature egg cells.

Question 28

Ova

Answer 28

female sex cells (egg cells).

Question 29

Paternal Inheritance

Answer 29

a type of inheritance in which a zygote formed from two gametes inherits cytoplasmic DNA from only the male gamete.

Question 30

Polypoid

Answer 30

having more than two sets of chromosomes; many plants are polyploids.

Question 31

Prenatal Testing

Answer 31

testing for a genetic disorder that occurs prior to birth.

Question 32

Sex Chromosomes

Answer 32

chromosomes that differ in males and females of the same species; the combination of sex chromosomes determines the sex of the offspring.

Question 33

Sexual Reproduction

Answer 33

the production of offspring from the fusion of two sex cells (usually from two different parents); the genetic makeup of the offspring is different from that of either parent.

Question 34

Sister Chromatid

Answer 34

the identical copy of a single chromosome that remains attached to the original chromosome at the centromere.

Question 35

Spermatogenesis

Answer 35

the production of mature sperm cells.

Question 36

Synapsis

Answer 36

the physical pairing up of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis.

Question 37

Tetrad

Answer 37

a pair of homologous chromosomes, each with two sister chromatids.

Question 38

Trisomy

Answer 38

a chromosomal abnormality in which there are three homologous chromosomes in place of a homologous pair.

Question 39

Zygote

Answer 39

a cell produced by the fusion of two gametes.