Definitions Flashcards
Cellular Differentiation
Process by which a cell develops more specialised functions by expressing the genes characteristics for that type of cell.
Mutations
Random changes to the genome that can result in no protein or an altered protein being expressed.
Evolution
The changes in organisms over generations as a result of genomic variations.
Natural Selection
Non-random increase in frequency of DNA sequence that increase survival AND the non-random reduction in deleterious sequences.
Sexual Selection
The non-random increase in the frequency of DNA sequences that increase reproduction.
Gene pool
The total of all the different genes in a population.
Genetic drift
The random increase or decrease in the frequency of gene sequences; as a result of the founder effect and neutral mutations.
Species
A group of organisms that can interbreed with one another to produce fertile offspring.
Speciation
Formation of new species by evolution; as a result of isolation, mutation and selection.
Genome
Its heredity information encoded in DNA
Bioinformatics
The comparison of gene sequences using computers and statistics
Metabolism
The network of connected and integrated pathways with it’s reversible and irreversible steps and alternative routes;
Sum of all chemical reactions
Homeostasis
The control and maintenance of a steady state in the internal environment of an organism.
Thermoregulation
Process by which animals maintain their body temperature within a normal range.
Dormancy
Organism’s metabolism is reduced to promote survival during adverse conditions.
