Biology Semester 2 Study Guide

Biology semester 2 final study guide. Has content about genetics, DNA replication, Protein synthesis, mitosis, meiosis, heredity, biotechnology, and ecology

Nucleic Acid

Nucleic Acid

A macromolecule that holds genetic information.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acid, consisting of sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen base.

Chromosome

Tightly coiled strands of DNA.

Gene

A section of DNA containing instructions to code for a protein.

DNA vs RNA

DNA has a double helix structure with Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine, while RNA has a single strand structure with Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, and Cytosine.

Base Pairing Rule

Adenine pairs with Thymine in DNA, Adenine pairs with Uracil in RNA, and Guanine pairs with Cytosine in DNA.

Structure of a Nucleotide

Comprised of phosphate, sugar, and a nitrogen base with strong covalent bonds between phosphate and sugar, and sugar and nitrogen base, and weak hydrogen bonds between nitrogen bases.

DNA Replication

The process where DNA is duplicated before cell division, involving unzipping the DNA, matching complementary bases, and forming two identical DNA molecules.

Protein Synthesis

The process of reading DNA instructions to make a polypeptide.

Transcription

Copying DNA into a complementary mRNA strand.

Genetic Code

Instructions for making proteins.

Codon

A set of three nucleotides on mRNA.

Translation

Interpreting mRNA into a protein.

Epigenetics

Study of heritable changes in gene expression.

Meiosis

Cell division for sexual reproduction resulting in haploid cells.

Diploid

Cell with 2 sets of chromosomes.

Haploid

Cell with 1 set of chromosomes.

Karyotype

Diagram showing chromosome number and appearance.

Somatic Cells

Body cells with 2 sets of chromosomes.

Gametes

Sex cells with 1 set of chromosomes.

Autosomes

Chromosomes carrying traits defining an individual.

Sex Chromosomes

Chromosomes determining biological sex.

Mendelian Genetics

Study of inheritance patterns based on Gregor Mendel's experiments.

Alleles

Different versions of the same gene.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles.

Dominant

Allele always expressed if present.

Recessive

Allele expressed only when dominant is absent.

Punnett Square

Diagram showing inheritance probabilities.

Mutation

Any change in DNA sequence.

Pedigree

Chart tracing genotypes and phenotypes in a family.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism’s genome using biotechnology.

Recombinant DNA

DNA artificially made from 2 or more different sources.

Genome

An organism's complete set of DNA, including all its genes.

Gene Map

Shows the location of genes on a chromosome.

Polymerase Chain Reaction

A technique to copy a piece of DNA without a cell.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method using an electrical current to separate DNA fragments based on size.

Gene Cloning

Produces identical copies of a gene.

CRISPR

A gene editing technique for deleting, inserting, or repairing genes.

Selective Breeding

Artificially breeding organisms with desired traits.

Pharming

Producing pharmaceuticals in farm animals or plants.