definitions Flashcards
Sustainable Resources
A sustainable resource is one which is produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so that it does not run out.
Sustainable development
development providing for the needs of an increasing human population without harming the environment.
Trophic level
position of an organism in a food chain, food web, pyramid of numbers or pyramid of biomass
population
a group of organisms of one species, living in the same area, at the same time
community
all of the populations of different species in an ecosystem
ecosystem
unit containing the community of organisms and their environment, interacting together, e.g. a decomposing log, or a lake
genetic engineering
changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes
chromosome
thread-like structure of DNA, carrying genetic information in the form of genes
inheritance
transmission of genetic information from generation to generation
gene
length of DNA that codes for a protein
allele
version of a gene
haploid and diploid nucleus
Define a haploid nucleus as a nucleus containing a single set of unpaired chromosomes, e.g. in gametes
Define a diploid nucleus as a nucleus containing two sets of chromosomes, e.g. in body cells
mitosis
nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells (details of stages are not required)
meiosis
Meiosis is nuclear division that gives rise to four genetically different cells.
reduction division in which the chromosome number is halved from diploid to haploid resulting in genetically different cells
genotype and phenotype
Define genotype as the genetic make-up of an organism in terms of the alleles present
Define phenotype as the observable features of an organism
homozygous and heterozygous
Define homozygous as having two identical alleles of a particular gene
Define heterozygous as having two different alleles of a particular gene
homozygous XX
heterozygous XY
dominant and recessive
Define dominant as an allele that is expressed if it is present
Define recessive as an allele that is only expressed when there is no dominant allele of the gene present
sex-linked characteristic
characteristic in which the gene responsible is located on a sex chromosome and this makes it more common in one sex than in the other
asexual reproduction
production of genetically identical offspring from one parent
sexual reproduction
fusion of the nuclei of two gametes to form a zygote and production of offspring that are genetically different from each other
fertilisation
fusion of gamete nuclei
self & cross-pollination
transfer of pollen from anther to stigma on the same plant
cross-pollination
transfer of pollen from anther to stigma on a different plant of the same species
pollination
transfer of pollen from anther to the stigma
STI
sexually transmitted infection
infection that is transmitted via body fluids through sexual contact