Genes, Development, and Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in genetics, development, and evolution, as outlined in the lecture notes.

Zygote

A fertilized egg that divides to form an embryo.

Embryo

A ball of cells formed from the division of a zygote.

Differentiation

The process by which cells acquire specialized properties and distinct structures and functions.

Genetic Equivalence

The concept that all cells in an organism contain the same genes.

Clone

A genetically identical copy of an organism.

Stem Cells

Cells that have the potential to differentiate into various specialized cell types.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS Cells)

Stem cells that are created by reprogramming differentiated adult cells to an embryonic-like state.

Eukaryotic Gene Expression Regulation

The processes that regulate gene expression at various levels in eukaryotic cells.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that is essential in the development and shaping of tissues and organs.

Morphogen

A substance that governs the pattern of tissue development and acts in a concentration-dependent manner.

Maternal Effect Genes

Genes that set up the embryo axes before fertilization.

MyoD

A master regulator of muscle cell differentiation, a transcription factor that activates muscle-specific genes.