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biology > inheritance > Flashcards

inheritance Flashcards

(52 cards)

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1
Q

What is the entirety of an organism’s DNA called?

A

The genome

The genome contains all the genetic information of an organism.

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2
Q

What is a gene?

A

A section of a molecule of DNA that codes for a particular sequence of amino acids

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3
Q

What do genes control?

A

Characteristics by coding for proteins that play important roles in cellular functions

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4
Q

What are chromosomes?

A

Structures formed by the supercoiling of DNA double helix in the nucleus during cell division

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5
Q

How many pairs of chromosomes do ordinary human body cells contain?

A

23 pairs, totaling 46 chromosomes

This is referred to as the diploid number (2n).

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6
Q

Define alleles.

A

Variations of the same gene that exist in alternative forms

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7
Q

What is the phenotype?

A

The observable characteristics of an organism

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8
Q

What is the genotype?

A

The combination of alleles that control each characteristic

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9
Q

What is a dominant allele?

A

An allele that only needs to be inherited from one parent for the characteristic to show up in the phenotype

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10
Q

What is a recessive allele?

A

An allele that needs to be inherited from both parents for the characteristic to show up in the phenotype

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11
Q

What does it mean if an individual is homozygous?

A

They have two identical alleles for a gene

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12
Q

What is polygenic inheritance?

A

Inheritance of characteristics controlled by multiple genes

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13
Q

Give an example of polygenic inheritance.

A

Eye colour

Eye colour is influenced by several genes, leading to a range of phenotypes.

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14
Q

What is monohybrid inheritance?

A

Inheritance of characteristics controlled by a single gene

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15
Q

What is a Punnett square?

A

A genetic diagram used to show possible combinations of alleles in offspring

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16
Q

What do family pedigree diagrams trace?

A

The pattern of inheritance of a specific characteristic through generations of a family

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17
Q

What shapes represent males and females in family pedigrees?

A

Males are squares, females are circles

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18
Q

What are sex chromosomes for females and males?

A

Females: XX, Males: XY

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19
Q

What is mitosis?

A

Nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells

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20
Q

What is the purpose of mitosis?

A

Growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of cells, asexual reproduction

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21
Q

What is meiosis?

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A

A type of nuclear division that produces cells that are genetically different

22
Q

What are gametes?

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A

Haploid cells produced during meiosis

23
Q

What is random fertilization?

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A

The process where any male gamete can fuse with any female gamete, creating genetic variation

24
Q

What are some examples of genetic variation in humans?

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A
  • Blood group
  • Eye colour
  • Gender
  • Ability to roll tongue
  • Earlobe attachment
25
What is genetic variation between gametes?
Each gamete carries substantially different alleles ## Footnote This variation is critical for genetic diversity in offspring.
26
What happens during fertilisation?
Any male gamete can fuse with any female gamete to form a zygote ## Footnote This random fusion creates genetic variation between zygotes.
27
What are examples of genetic variation in humans?
* Blood group * Eye colour * Gender * Ability to roll tongue * Earlobe attachment ## Footnote These traits are influenced by genetic factors.
28
Define a diploid cell.
A cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes (2n) ## Footnote Nearly all human body cells are diploid.
29
What is the chromosome count in a diploid human cell?
46 chromosomes (23 pairs) ## Footnote These chromosomes contain the DNA necessary for cell function.
30
Define a haploid cell.
A cell that contains one complete set of chromosomes (n) ## Footnote Haploid cells are involved in sexual reproduction.
31
What are gametes in humans?
* Female egg * Male sperm ## Footnote These are haploid cells necessary for reproduction.
32
What is variation in a species?
Differences between individuals of the same species ## Footnote Variation can be influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
33
What can cause environmental variation?
* Climate * Diet * Accidents * Culture * Lifestyle ## Footnote These factors can affect characteristics of species.
34
What is discontinuous variation primarily caused by?
Genetic variation alone ## Footnote This type of variation results in distinct categories.
35
What is continuous variation usually influenced by?
A combination of genetic and environmental causes ## Footnote Examples include height, which is affected by both genes and nutrition.
36
Define mutation.
Rare, random changes that occur in the sequence of DNA bases in a gene or chromosome ## Footnote Mutations can sometimes lead to changes in protein function.
37
What is Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?
Evolutionary change occurs through natural selection, where advantageous traits increase survival and reproduction ## Footnote This theory is fundamental to understanding evolution.
38
What is the process of natural selection?
* Variation in a species * Survival of the fittest * Reproduction of advantageous traits * Increase in frequency of advantageous traits ## Footnote This process explains how species evolve over generations.
39
What is an example of natural selection?
The color variation in peppered moths ## Footnote This illustrates how environmental changes can affect survival.
40
How does antibiotic resistance occur?
* Random mutation creates a resistance allele * Non-resistant bacteria die off * Resistant bacteria reproduce * Resistance allele frequency increases ## Footnote This process shows natural selection in action.
41
True or False: Antibiotic resistance can be treated with the same antibiotic once resistance develops.
False ## Footnote Different antibiotics may be needed to treat resistant infections.
42
What is Darwins evolution?
A change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through natural selection, potentially resulting in a new species.
43
What role do mutations play in evolution?
They provide variation between organisms, and if beneficial, increase the chances of survival and reproduction.
44
Define 'survival of the fittest'.
The concept that organisms with advantageous mutations are more likely to survive to breeding age.
45
What is genetic variation?
The differences in DNA among individuals of the same species within a population.
46
What is mitosis?
A type of cell division where one cell divides to form two identical daughter cells.
47
What occurs during Interphase in the cell cycle?
* The cell grows * Organelles increase in number * Protein synthesis occurs * All chromosomes are replicated * Energy stores are increased
48
What happens in Stage 2 of mitosis?
The chromosomes line up at the equator, and spindle fibers pull each chromosome to opposite poles.
49
What occurs in Stage 3 of mitosis?
Two identical daughter cells form when the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide.
50
What are the purposes of mitosis?
* Growth and development * Replacing damaged cells * Asexual reproduction
51
How are the two strands of DNA held together?
By hydrogen bonds between pairs of bases: adenine with thymine, and cytosine with guanine.
52
Fill in the blank: The characteristic shape of replicated chromosomes is _______.
‘X’ shape

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