Genetics 1 Flashcards
(40 cards)
genetics
the study of heredity and variation in organisms
heredity
the passing on of characteristics from parent to offspring
variation
the differences that exist within a species or population
species
a group of organisms that can interbreed with each other and produce fertile offspring
what does genetics attempt to explain
the similarities and differences between parents and offspring
2 examples of variation in humans
eye colour, hair colour
2 examples of variation in plants (roses)
different shape and colour of petals
2 types of variation
inherited variations
acquired variations
inherited variations
differences due to different genes that are passed from generation to generation eg. eye colour, blood type
acquired variations
differences that arise during development and that are not passed on eg. accidental loss of limb
where is information contains
in definite structures called genes
where are genes located
on the chromosomes in the nucleus
3 features of a chromosome
thread-like structures
composed of DNA and protein
carries genes
number of chromosomes in the nuclei of an organism is usually
constant
diploid
2n
2 sets of chromosomes
haploid
n
1 set of chromosomes
in diploid cells, how are chromosomes found?
in matching pairs; homologous chromosomes
gene
unit of heredity \
composition of a gene
DNA
locus
position of a gene on a chromosome
alleles
alternative forms of a gene occupying the same locus on a pair of homologous chromosomes
what do alleles give rise to
variation in a species
alleles in a diploid cell
2 alleles for every characteristic
how many alleles are present in a gamete
1 (haploid)