Meiosis

Question 1

chromosome

Answer 1

a long continuous thread of DNA that consists of numerous genes and regulatory information; 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans

Question 2

meiosis

Answer 2

a type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes (the sex cells, or egg and sperm)

Question 3

genetic variation

Answer 3

differences in physical traits of an individual from the group in which it belongs; genetic variation is enhanced by sexual reproduction

Question 4

trait

Answer 4

characteristic that is inherited; eye color or hair color are traits inherited from parents

Question 5

gene

Answer 5

specific region of DNA that codes for a particiular protein; part of DNA that controls inherited traits

Question 6

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 6

molecule that stores genetic information in all organisms

Question 7

protein synthesis

Answer 7

the formation of proteins by using information contained in DNA and carried by mRNA; allows cells to build proteins

Question 8

gene expression

Answer 8

the manifestation of the genetic material of an organism in the form of specific traits; information in genes

Question 9

gametes

Answer 9

sex cells; have half the chromosomes of body cells

Question 10

homologous chromosomes

Answer 10

chromosomes that share: The same structural features (e.g. same size, same banding patterns

Question 11

chromatids

Answer 11

each of the two threadlike strands into which a chromosome divides longitudinally during cell division.

Question 12

crossing over

Answer 12

the exchange of chromosome segments between homologous chromosomes

Question 13

haploid

Answer 13

having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.

Question 14

diploid

Answer 14

containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.