P2 13/14/15 Inheritance, variation, evolution Flashcards
(48 cards)
describe what happens during sexual reproduction (using: gamete, fuse, fertilisation, chromosomes, zygote)
- the female gamete (egg cell) fuses with the male gamete (sperm or pollen) during fertilisation
-> gametes are sex cells - contain 23 chromosomes (one of each pair) - forms a cell containing 46 chromosomes - this is a zygote (fertilised egg) - contains a mixture of genetic material from both parents
describe asexual reproduction (using: mitosis, daughter, clone)
new cells are formed by mitosis:
cell divides to create 2 daughter cells, which both have the same no. chromosomes as the parent nucleus
- forms clones - genetically identical offspring
- occurs in plants, bacteria
name differences between sexual + asexual reproduction (4)
- sexual involves 2 parents, asexual involves 1
- cells fuse together in sexual, cell divides in asexual
- there is genetic variety in sexual offspring, asexual offspring are genetically identical/clones
- cells part of sexual are first formed by meiosis, cells part of asexual are first formed through mitosis
describe where/why/how meiosis would occur
to form eggs or sperm
* cells in reproductive organs divide by meiosis to form gametes
* this ensures they have half the no. chromosomes needed to form a reproductive cell
1. genetic information is duplicated
2. the cell divides twice to form four gametes, each with a single set of chromosomes (23)
* all gametes are genetically different from each other
describe how a fertilised egg develops into an organism from fertilisation
- a cell with the normal no. chromosomes (46) is formed
- the cell divides by mitosis into an embryo
- as the embryo develops, the cells differentiate into specialised cells to form an organism
describe differences between mitosis + meiosis (4)
- nearly all body cells divide by mitosis, gametes divide by meiosis
- mitosis creates 2 daughter cells, meiosis creates 4 daughter cells
- mitosis daughter cells contain full set of chromosomes, meiosis daughter cells contain half set of chromosomes
- mitosis daughter cells are genetically identical to parent nucleus, meiosis daughter cells are genetically different
describe the structure of DNA
a polymer made of two strands forming a double helix structure
describe chromosomes
- structure made of DNA molecules - contains genetic material
- contained in the nucleus of a cell
- 23 pairs in a body cell - 22 control characteristics, 1 control sex
define genome
the entire genetic material of an organism
describe importance of understanding the human genome (3)
allows scientists to:
* search for genes linked to different types of diseases
* understand+treat inherited disorders
* trace human migration patterns from the past
define gene
- small section of DNA
- found in a chromosome
- code for proteins: genes instruct cells how to sequence amino acids to make different proteins
define genotype
the genetic makeup of an individual organism
(the alleles it contains)
female = XX , male = XY
define phenotype
- the way a gene is expressed - an observable characteristic
- determined by a combination of its genotype + how it interacts with the environment
define allele
variations of a given gene
inherited
more than one present in every gene
only 2 inherited
dominant or recessive
define homozygous+heterozygous organisms
- homo: alleles are identical
- hetero: alleles are different
define dominant+recessive alleles
- dominant: always expressed in the phenotype (capital)
- recessive: shows in the phenotype only when it is homozygous (lowercase)
name 2 inherited disorders +alleles needed
polydactyly: extra fingers+toes, caused by dominant allele, person needs to inherit allele from 1 parent
cystic fibrosis: faulty gene produces thick mucus, causes breathing problems, caused by recessive allele, person needs to inherit allele from both parents
use of embryo screening +issues
- examining genetic makeup of embryos to check for disorders, eg. cystic fibrosis
- economic/social/ethical issues - gives parents option to abort (could be false positive) or start care planning, screening is expensive, can damage healthy embryos
explain how sex of baby is determined
- female+male sex chromosome pairs divide by meiosis
- each gamete (egg or sperm) gets either an X or Y chromosome
- at fertilisation - equal chance of girl (XX) or boy (XY)
-> shown in a genetic cross table
define variation
differences between phenotypes of individuals in the same population
caused by their genotype + how it interacts with the environment (genetic/environmental factors)
name factors affecting variation +examples
genetic: inherited, originate from past mutations - blood group, fur colour, leaf shape
environmental: influences/interactions - piercings, scars, leaf discolouration
combination: genetics+environment - weight, skin colour, plant height
describe effect of DNA mutations on phenotypes/ species
- most have no effect on phenotype, some for better/worse, rarely produces a completely new phenotype
- if a mutation benefits survival, leads to rapid change/growth in specie, eg. adaptated to change in environment
- mutations can be caused by outside factors eg. chemicals/radiation
explain theory of evolution by natural selection (5)
- mutations cause variation within a population
- some phenotypes have an increased chance of survival (as adapted to their environment)
- these will outcompete others +survive to breed, passing on advantageous alleles
- greater proportion of the next generation will have the advantageous phenotype
- process repeats - phenotype becomes more common
describe how new species are formed
- evolution causes population within a specie to become so different in phenotype
- this means they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring
- creates two news species - speciation