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adult cell cloning
A type of cloning that forms an embryo from an adult body cell.
allele
A version of a gene.
amino acids
Small molecules from which proteins are assembled.
archaea
Primitive bacteria existing in extreme environments.
asexual reproduction
A form of reproduction involving a single parent. Creates genetically identical offspring.
binomial system
The universal system of naming organisms using their genus andspecies.
Charles Darwin
The scientist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
chromosome
A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes.
classification
The organization of organisms into groups based on their characteristics and structure.
coding DNA
A sequence of DNA that codes for the production of a protein.
complementary
Describes how the chemical bases in DNA pair up with each other. A pairs with T and C pairs with G.
cuttings
The simplest method of cloning plants. A branch is cut from a parent plant and replanted in compost after removing the lower leaves.
cystic fibrosis
A cellular membrane disorder resulting from the presence of a recessive allele.
DNA
A double-stranded polymer wound to form a double helix. Carries the genetic code.
dominant
Describes an allele that is always expressed. Represented by a capital letter.
embryo screening
A procedure used to determine the presence of faulty genes in an embryo produced by IVF.
A few embryonic cells are removed and screened for defective alleles.
embryo transplants
The simplest method of animal cloning. Cells are removed from adeveloping embryo, split apart and grown in culture, before being transplanted into host mothers.
evolution
The gradual change in the inherited traits within a population over time. Occurs due to natural selection.
evolutionary tree
A diagram which illustrates the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
extinction
The death of all members of a species.
family tree
A chart used to show the inheritance of a condition in a family.
fertilization
The fusion of the nucleus of male and female gametes. Restores the full chromosome number.
fossil
The remains of dead organisms found in rocks which are millions of years old.
gametes
Sex cells (sperm and egg cells) with half the usual number of chromosomes.
gene
A section of DNA that codes for a specific sequence of amino acids which undergo polymerization to form a protein.
genetic engineering
The modification of the genome of an organism by the insertion of a desired gene from another organism, enabling the formation of organisms with beneficial characteristics.
genome
The complete genetic material of an organism.
genotype
An organism’s genetic composition. Describes all alleles.
GM crops
Crops that have had their genomes modified by the insertion of a desired gene from another organism.
heterozygous
When someone has two different alleles of a gene e.g. Ff.
homozygous
When someone has two identical alleles of a gene e.g. ff.
inbreeding
The formation of offspring from the breeding of closely related individuals.
Linnaean system
The classification of organisms into kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species, as developed by Carl Linnaeus.
meiosis
A form of cell division that produces gametes, non-identical cells with half the usual number of chromosomes.
mitosis
A form of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells (with a full set of chromosomes) from one parent cell.
MRSA
A type of bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic, methicillin.
mutation
A random change in DNA which may result in genetic variants.
natural selection
The process by which the frequency of advantageous traits passed on in genes gradually increases in a population over time.
non-coding DNA
DNA which does not code for a protein but instead controls gene expression.
nucleotide
The monomers of DNA consisting of a common sugar, a phosphate group and one of four chemical bases (A, T, C, G) attached to the sugar.
phenotype
An organism’s observable characteristics. Due to interactions of the genotype and the environment.
polydactyly
A condition where an individual is born with extra fingers or toes due to the presence of a dominant allele.
protein synthesis
The formation of a protein from a gene.
Punnett square
A grid used to predict the potential outcomes of a genetic cross.
recessive
Describes an allele that is only expressed in the absence of a dominant allele. Represented by a small letter.
ribosomes
Sub-cellular structures where protein synthesis takes place.
selective breeding
The process by which humans artificially select organisms with desirable characteristics and breed them to produce offspring with desirable phenotypes.
sex chromosomes
A pair of chromosomes responsible for the determination of gender.
XY in males.
XX in females.
sexual reproduction
A form of reproduction involving the fusion of male and female gametes. Creates genetic variation.
speciation
The formation of new species in the course of evolution, often due to the evolution of two isolated populations.
species
A group of similar organisms that are able to breed with one another to produce fertile offspring.
three-domain system
A method of classification in which organisms are categorized into three groups; Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota. Developed by Carl Woese.
tissue culture
A method of growing living tissue or cells in a suitable medium to produce clone plants.
variation
The differences between individuals due to genes, the environment or a combination of both.
vector
A carrier used to transfer a gene from one organism to another.
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