Topic 6 Test Review: Mitosis, Meiosis, and Genetics

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Topic 6, including cellular division (mitosis and meiosis), genetic inheritance patterns, pedigrees, and biotechnology.

Crossing Over

An event occurring during $Prophase\,I$ where homologous chromosomes switch sections of DNA to allow for genetic diversity.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces $2$ identical somatic (body) cells with $46$ chromosomes in humans.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that involves two divisions and produces $4$ genetically unique haploid gametes (sex cells).

Somatic Cells

Body cells, which contain $46$ chromosomes in humans and are produced through mitosis.

Gametes

Sex cells produced via meiosis that contain $23$ chromosomes in humans.

Haploid Cells

Cells that contain only one set of chromosomes ($23$ chromosomes in humans), produced during meiosis.

Karyotype

A laboratory image used to examine an individual's chromosomes, identify their sex, and check for chromosomal abnormalities.

Trisomy 21

A chromosomal abnormality characterized by having an extra chromosome at position $21$ in a karyotype.

Homozygous

A genotype consisting of two identical alleles, represented as $AA$ (dominant) or $aa$ (recessive).

Heterozygous

A genotype consisting of two different alleles, represented as $Aa$.

Incomplete Dominance

An inheritance pattern where the heterozygous phenotype is a blend of the two traits, such as pink roses resulting from red and white parents.

Codominance

An inheritance pattern where both alleles are expressed equally, such as cats having both orange and black (striped/spotted) fur.

Complete Dominance

A pattern of inheritance where the dominant allele completely masks the recessive allele, such as brown eyes being dominant over blue eyes.

Multiple Alleles

A pattern of inheritance involving more than two alleles for a single trait, such as human blood types represented by $I^A$, $I^B$, and $i$.

Hemophilia

A recessive sex-linked disorder carried on the $X$ chromosome.

Carrier

A female who possesses one recessive allele for a sex-linked trait (e.g., $X^H X^h$) but does not express the disorder.

Sex-Linked Pedigree

A diagram showing the inheritance of a trait where typically only males are affected and only females can be carriers.

Gel Electrophoresis

A laboratory technique used to separate charged molecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins based on their size and charge for analysis and identification.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by pairs of alleles such as $AA$, $Aa$, or $aa$.

Phenotype

The physical or observable characteristics of an organism resulting from its genotype.

Allele

Alternative forms of a gene.

Heredity

The process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring.