Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material of all living organisms, structured as a double helix.
DNA replication
The process of copying the DNA molecule where the DNA strands separate and DNA polymerase uses each old strand as a template to build a new second strand.
Transcription
The process of making RNA from a DNA template.
Translation
The process of making a protein based on the codon sequence of mRNA, taking place on ribosomes.
Start codon
AUG is the start codon that signals the beginning of translation.
Stop codons
UAA, UAG, UGA are the stop codons that signal the end of translation.
Euchromatin
A form of chromatin that is loosely packed and available for transcription.
Heterochromatin
A form of chromatin that is tightly packed and considered inactive.
Clone
An exact genetic copy of a gene, cell, or organism.
Restriction enzyme
An enzyme made by bacteria to cut up foreign DNA at a specific recognition sequence.
DNA fingerprinting
A process that uses PCR to make many copies of short tandem repeats (STRs) for comparison between different DNA sources.
Gene cloning
The procedure of cutting a chromosome and plasmid with the same restriction enzyme to create recombinant DNA.
Transcription factors
Proteins that help RNA polymerase bind to the DNA at the promoter region, promoting transcription.
Transcription activators
Proteins that bind to enhancer regions and increase transcription rates.
Evolution
The change in the gene pool of populations over time.
Natural Selection
The process whereby organisms that exhibit variations better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
Population
A group of organisms of a single species living together in the same geographical area.
Microevolution
The change in allele frequencies in a population over time.
Gene pool
All the alleles of all the genes in all the individuals in a population.
Stabilizing selection
A mode of natural selection that favors average traits over extremes.
Directional selection
A mode of natural selection that favors one extreme trait over the average and other extreme traits.
Disruptive selection
A mode of natural selection that favors extreme traits over average traits.
Biological species
A group of organisms that can successfully reproduce (interbreed).
Reproductive isolation mechanisms
Mechanisms that prevent two groups from interbreeding, such as habitat isolation, temporal isolation, behavioral isolation, mechanical isolation, gamete isolation, zygote mortality, hybrid sterility, and F2 fitness.
Speciation
The process of splitting one species into two or more species.
Allopatric speciation
Speciation that occurs when populations are separated by a geographic barrier.
Sympatric speciation
Speciation that occurs without geographic separation of populations.
Adaptive radiation
The evolutionary process where one species gives rise to several new species when introduced to a new environment.
Gene
The basic unit of heredity, composed of DNA, that carries the instructions for producing proteins.
Allele
Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.
Phenotype
The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.
Genotype
The genetic constitution of an individual, specifically the alleles present in its cells.
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.
Heterozygous
Having two different alleles for a particular gene.
Dominant allele
An allele that expresses its phenotype even when heterozygous with a recessive allele.
Recessive allele
An allele that only expresses its phenotype when in a homozygous state.
Genetic drift
A mechanism of evolution involving random changes in allele frequencies in a population.
Natural selection
The process through which populations adapt to their environments; individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
