GENETICS & EVOLUTION

What leaves the nucleus for translation?

RNA (not DNA)

What is the template strand?

The DNA strand that codes for a protein

What are the 4 DNA bases?

A, T, G, C

What builds mRNA?

RNA polymerase

What carries amino acids to ribosomes?

tRNA

What unzips DNA?

Helicase

What is the ultimate source of new genes?

Mutation

What is artificial selection?

Human-directed breeding (like dog breeding)

What is a codon?

Three nucleotides that code for one amino acid

What causes speciation?

Reproductive isolation

What are the complementary base pairs in DNA?

A-T and C-G

What role does DNA polymerase play in DNA replication?

Builds new DNA strands

What happens during transcription?

An mRNA sequence is transcribed from the template strand of DNA

What is the role of RNA polymerase?

It builds mRNA during transcription

What is the primary mechanism of evolutionary change?

Natural selection

What is genetic drift?

A mechanism of evolution that has a greater effect on smaller populations

What happens to allele frequencies in Kettlewell’s Peppered Moth Study?

Change in morphology due to changes in allele frequencies

What is hybrid breakdown?

When hybrids in the second generation are not viable

What is microevolution?

Small evolutionary changes within a population over time

What is the role of helicase in DNA replication?

It 'unzips' the DNA molecule

How does gene flow affect evolution?

It has equivalent effects from both emigration and immigration

What is the significance of binomial nomenclature?

It consists of two parts and is always Latinized

What are analogous characters?

Characters in different groups due to convergent evolution

What distinguishes template strand from coding strand?

The template strand is used as a guide to build mRNA during transcription.

What types of mutations have a neutral effect on fitness?

Most mutations which do not influence survival or reproduction.

What is the significance of phylogenetic classification?

It is based on multiple characteristics that imply evolutionary relationships.

What is disruptive selection?

A selection mechanism that favors extreme phenotypes over intermediate ones.

What is mutation?

The ultimate source of new alleles in a population.

What processes take place in the nucleus?

Transcription occurs there.

What is a triplet?

Three nucleotides in mRNA that represent a codon.

What processes can reproductive isolation lead to?

Speciation and maintaining species integrity.

What evidence can suggest evolutionary change in morphology?

Changes in allele frequencies in a population.

What happens during translation?

tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome.

What substance is critical for translation?

RNA, specifically mRNA and tRNA.

What is the correct order of taxonomic ranks from most inclusive to least?

Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

What kind of selection favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range?

Disruptive selection.

What is the first step in DNA replication?

The action of helicase unzipping the DNA.

What is the function of ligase during DNA replication?

It joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

Artificial selection is directed by humans, natural selection is based on environmental pressures.

What happens to darker moths in polluted environments?

They face higher predation pressure.

What is a common feature of the genus and species in scientific naming?

The genus is capitalized while the species is not.

What type of mutations are least likely to affect fitness?

Neutral mutations.

What is semiconservative replication?

Each new DNA molecule consists of one old and one new strand.

What is habitat isolation?

When populations are separated by different environments.

What is the genetic code's language structure?

It consists of four letter words (nucleotides) and a three letter alphabet (codons).

What is an example of disruptive selection?

A selection event where extreme phenotypes have survival advantages.

What occurs after a mutation in the genetic code?

It can lead to changes in protein structure and function.

What does Kettlewell’s study demonstrate in evolutionary biology?

How environmental changes affect natural selection.

What does the presence of tRNA molecules indicate?

The process of translation is ongoing.

In which part of the cell does DNA reside primarily?

In the nucleus.

What can cause genetic variation in populations?

Mutations, gene flow, and sexual reproduction.

What is the term for a hybrid that cannot produce viable offspring?

Reduced hybrid fertility.

What is an example of microevolution?

Changes in allele frequencies over generations within a population.

What is the impact of air pollution reduction on moth populations?

Increase in lighter colored moths due to changing predation pressures.

What molecular interaction is critical for proper DNA replication?

Base pairing between nucleotides.

What defines species integrity?

Reproductive isolation mechanisms that prevent interbreeding.

What is a key characteristic of evolution?

It involves changes in allele frequencies in populations over time.

What does reproduction isolation help maintain in a species?

It helps maintain species integrity by preventing gene flow.