Biology Lecture on Genetics and Inheritance

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to genetics, inheritance, and the relationship between sickle cell disease and malaria.

Somatic cells

Body cells that have two copies of chromosomes (Diploid) and undergo mitosis.

Germline cells

Sex cells that have one copy of chromosomes (Haploid) and undergo meiosis.

Mitosis

Process of cell replication/duplication resulting in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the mother cell.

Meiosis

Process that produces sex cells, resulting in daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes.

Alleles

Single genes with different versions, inherited from each parent.

Codominant trait

A trait where both alleles are expressed equally in the phenotype.

Punnett Square

A tool used to predict the genetic combinations of offspring from two parents.

Sickle cell disease

A genetic condition caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene leading to misshapen and dysfunctional red blood cells.

Central Dogma

The process by which genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein.

Malaria

A disease caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells, transmitted by mosquitoes.

Resistance to malaria

In individuals with one normal allele and one sickle cell allele, typically leads to a healthier individual and resistance to malaria.