Genetics

genome

DNA found within all of our chromosomes

genetics

branch of biology that focuses on heredity and variation

gene

segment of DNA, contains information to produce a functional product

traits

characteristics of an organism

macromolecules

lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids

proteome

all proteins in a cell at a given time

genetic code

functional role that codon plays during translation

codon

sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that function in translation

chromosome

structure in living cell that contain genetic material, contains very long segments of DNA and proteins that help organize its structure

gene expression

process of gene sequence affecting characteristics of cells and organisms

transcription

DNA copies into RNA

protein coding genes

genes that carry information for amino acid sequence of polypeptide

messenger RNA

product of protein coding genes during transcription

translation

process where codons within mRNA provide info to synthesize amino acids that make polypeptides

morphological traits

traits that affect appearance, form and structure

physiological traits

traits that affects ability to function

behavioral traits

traits that affect the way an organism responds to environment

molecular level

observation of living things at level of individual molecules

cellular level

observation or experimentation at level of individual cells

organism level

level of observation that involves a whole organism

species

group of organisms that maintains distinctive set of attributes in nature

population level

level of observation that involves population of organisms

alleles

alternative form of a specific gene

genetic variation

differences in inherited traits among individuals within a population

gene mutations

mutation that affects only a single gene

diploid

cells that contain two copies of each chromosome

homolog

one chromosome in pair of chromosome, structures that are similar to each due to descent from common ancestor

somatic cells

cells not involved in sexual reproduction

gametes

sperm and egg cells

haploid

cell that contains half the genetic material found in somatic cells, single set of chromosomes

biological evolution

accumulation of heritable changes in one or more characteristics of a population or species from one generation to the next

model organism

organisms studies by many different researchers to compare results and determine scientific principles that apply broadly to other species

genetic approach

study of mutant genes that have abnormal function

loss of function mutation

a change in a genetic sequence that creates a loss of function allele

loss of function allele

an allele of a gene that codes an RNA or protein that is nonfunctional or compromised in function

transmission genetics

explore genetic inherticance passed down from parents to offspring

material genetics

focuses on biochemical understanding of hereditary material

population genetics

focuses on genetic variation and its role in evolution