Chapter 7

Question 1

meiosis

Answer 1

two-phased type of cellular division in which the chromosome number of a cell is halved (23) to the haploid number, meiosis is the basis of gamete formation

Question 2

homologous chromosomes

Answer 2

a pair of chromosomes with the same gene sequence, loci, chromosomal length and centromere location

Question 3

crossing over

Answer 3

exchange of genes between homologous chromosomes, resulting in a mixture of parental characteristics in offspring

Question 4

recombination

Answer 4

a process by which pieces of DNA are broken and recombined to produce new combinations of alleles

Question 5

genetic variation

Answer 5

difference in DNA sequences between individuals within a population

Question 6

spermatogenesis

Answer 6

process of making sperm

Question 7

oogenesis

Answer 7

process of making female gametes

Question 8

meiosis vs mitosis

Answer 8

meiosis:

• two cell divisions
• results in haploid cells

mitosis:

• one cell division
• homologous chromosomes never pair up
• results in diploid cells

Question 9

independent assortment

Answer 9

formation of random combinations of chromosomes in meiosis

Question 10

random fertilisation

Answer 10

random chance of any one sperm and egg coming together

Question 11

genotype

Answer 11

the chemical composition of its DNA

Question 12

phenotype

Answer 12

observable traits of an organism