Topic 16: Inheritance Flashcards
What are chromosomes made of?
Chromosomes are made of DNA, which contains genetic information in the form of genes.
What is a gene?
A gene is a length of DNA that codes for a protein.
What is an allele?
An allele is an alternative form of a gene.
What chromosomes determine sex in humans?
In humans, sex is determined by the XX (female) and XY (male) chromosomes.
What is a haploid nucleus?
A haploid nucleus contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes (e.g., in sperm and egg cells).
What is a diploid nucleus?
A diploid nucleus contains two sets of chromosomes (e.g., in body cells, with 23 pairs in humans).
How many pairs of chromosomes are in a human diploid cell?
A human diploid cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes.
How does DNA control cell function?
DNA controls cell function by controlling the production of proteins, including enzymes and receptors.
What are the bases in DNA?
The bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G), where A pairs with T, and C pairs with G.
What is mRNA?
mRNA is a copy of a gene that carries the genetic code from the DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.
What is the process of transcription?
Transcription is the process of rewriting the base code of DNA into mRNA.
What is translation in protein synthesis?
Translation is the process where the mRNA base sequence is used to assemble amino acids into a specific protein.
What is mitosis?
Mitosis is nuclear division that results in genetically identical cells.
What is the purpose of mitosis?
Mitosis is necessary for growth, tissue repair, cell replacement, and asexual reproduction.
What is meiosis?
Meiosis is a reduction division where the chromosome number is halved, producing genetically different gametes.
What is the role of meiosis in reproduction?
Meiosis produces gametes (sperm and eggs) with half the chromosome number, ensuring genetic diversity.
What is genotype?
Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism in terms of the alleles present (e.g., Tt, GG).
What is phenotype?
Phenotype is the observable characteristics or features of an organism (e.g., tall plant, green seeds).
What does homozygous mean?
Homozygous means having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., TT, gg).
What does heterozygous mean?
Heterozygous means having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Tt, Gg).
What is a dominant allele?
A dominant allele is expressed if it is present in the genotype (e.g., T or G).
What is a recessive allele?
A recessive allele is only expressed when no dominant allele is present in the genotype (e.g., t or g).
What is a Punnett square used for?
A Punnett square is used to predict the possible genetic outcomes of a monohybrid cross.
What is codominance?
Codominance is when two alleles are equally dominant and both are expressed in the phenotype (e.g., red and white in flowers).
