G10 Genetics Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is genetics?
The study of how the characteristics of living things are transmitted from one generation to the next.
What are inherited traits?
Traits that can be passed from parent to child.
What are the three different types of characteristics of living things?
- Physical
- Behavioural
- Risk of a disease or predisposition
What does ‘nature versus nurture’ refer to?
The debate over whether inherited traits (nature) or environment (nurture) influence traits.
Fill in the blank: Inherited traits are passed from parents to children = ______.
NATURE
Fill in the blank: Our environment can influence our traits = ______.
NURTURE
What is a pedigree chart?
A diagram that shows the genetic relationships within a family.
What does a filled symbol in a pedigree chart indicate?
That the person has the trait we are interested in.
Why can traits ‘skip’ people?
Because of the genetic variations and combinations during reproduction.
What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic material of all cellular organisms.
What is a chromosome?
A long strand of DNA that contains many genes.
What is the structure of DNA?
Shaped like a twisted ladder, known as a double helix.
What are the four bases of DNA?
- Adenine
- Thymine
- Guanine
- Cytosine
What is a genome?
The entire DNA sequence of an organism.
How much of human DNA is the same across individuals?
99.9%.
What is ‘junk’ DNA?
DNA that does not code for proteins but may have other functions, also known as non-coding DNA.
What is the process of DNA replication?
The process where DNA strands unwind and separate, then each strand builds a new partner by adding complementary nucleotides.
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
- Mitosis: Produces 2 identical cells
- Meiosis: Produces 4 cells with half the chromosomes
Fill in the blank: Identical twins result from a fertilized egg that ______.
splits in 2
Fill in the blank: Fraternal twins are created when ______.
2 eggs are fertilized by 2 sperm
Who is known as the father of modern genetics?
Gregor Mendel.
What did Mendel observe in his pea plants?
That characteristics were passed from one generation to the next.
What ratio of traits did Mendel find in the second generation of pea plants?
3:1 ratio of smooth to wrinkled.
True or False: If parents are homozygous for brunette and homozygous for blonde hair, all offspring will be brunette.
TRUE
