Year 10 Biology – Genetics and Evolution Vocabulary

35 vocabulary flashcards covering key Genetics and Evolution terms from the Year 10 Biology lecture notes.

Allele

A version of a gene

Autosome

A non-sex chromosome

Centromere

Region where two chromatids join

Chromatin

Protein that DNA wraps around when condensed into chromosomes

Chromosome

Tightly packed unit of DNA wrapped around chromatin

Diploid

A full set of DNA (46 chromosomes in humans)

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Molecule made of nucleotides arranged as a double helix

Dominant allele

Allele that is always expressed when present

Gametes

Sex cells that are haploid

Gene

Section of DNA that codes for a trait

Genotype

Set of alleles an individual has for a gene, shown as a pair of letters

Haploid

Half set of DNA (23 chromosomes in humans)

Heterozygous

Genotype with two different alleles

Homologous

Matching chromosomes with the same genes in the same locations (may have different alleles)

Homozygous

Genotype with two of the same allele

Inheritance

Traits or characteristics that are passed on

Karyotype

Picture of an organism’s full set of chromosomes

Nucleotide

Building block of DNA made of a nitrogenous base, phosphate group and deoxyribose sugar

Meiosis

Process that creates sex cells

Mitosis

Process that creates more body cells

Pedigree

Diagram showing patterns of inheritance over generations

Phenotype

Physical characteristic that results from a genotype

Punnett square

Tool used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross

Recessive allele

Allele expressed only if no dominant alleles are present

Sex chromosomes

X and/or Y chromosomes

Adaptations

Characteristics that make an organism more suited to its environment

Analogous structures

Structures with similar function that evolved separately due to similar environments

Common ancestor

Past species from which two or more modern species evolved

Embryology

Study of embryos and development

Fitness

Ability of an organism to survive and produce offspring

Homologous structures

Structures from a common ancestor that evolved different functions in different environments

Natural selection

Process where fitter individuals survive and pass on genes while less fit individuals do not

Phylogenetic tree

Diagram representing evolutionary relationships between organisms

Species

Organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Vestigial organs / structures

Non-functional structures left over from an ancestral species