AP Bio: Meiosis and Life Cycles

What is the main similarity between offspring and their parents in reproduction?

Offspring produced by sexual or asexual reproduction are typically similar to their parent organism(s) in characteristics such as size, body shape, and cellular functions.

How is genetic information inherited during reproduction?

Offspring inherit genetic information from their parents, which directs the development of their characteristics.

What are the molecules that store and transfer genetic information in living organisms?

Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are the molecules that store and transfer genetic information.

What occurs during cell division regarding genetic information?

During cell division, DNA is passed from parent cells to daughter cells.

How does RNA function in eukaryotes?

In eukaryotes, RNA carries genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

What is the process by which DNA is passed from cell to cell in prokaryotes?

In prokaryotes (bacteria), DNA can be passed from cell to cell through a process called conjugation.

What type of organisms can carry genetic information in either DNA or RNA?

Viruses carry genetic information in either DNA or RNA.

What are the building blocks of DNA and RNA called?

DNA and RNA are made of subunits called nucleotides.

How are nucleotides linked together to form DNA and RNA?

Nucleotides are linked together by covalent bonds to form nucleic acids.

How does the order of nucleotide subunits in nucleic acids relate to information storage?

The order of nucleotides in nucleic acids stores information similar to how written words store information based on the order of letters.

What is a similarity in the way written words and nucleic acids store information?

Both written words and nucleic acids store information based on the order of their subunits.

What characterizes words like 'stop', 'pots', and 'tops'?

These words have the same subunits (letters) but different meanings due to the order of those subunits.

What experimental methods are used for studying nucleic acids?

Techniques such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and gel electrophoresis are commonly used.

What mechanism ensures genetic information is accurately copied during cell division?

The mechanisms of DNA replication ensure accurate copying of genetic information during cell division.

In what form do most organisms store genetic information?

Most organisms store genetic information in the form of DNA.

What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA)?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes for protein synthesis.

What is meant by 'gene expression'?

Gene expression refers to the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional gene products, often proteins.

How do mutations affect genetic information?

Mutations are changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA that can affect how genetic information is expressed.

What is a genetic code?

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins.

How does translation occur in protein synthesis?

During translation, ribosomes read mRNA sequences and synthesize proteins based on the sequence of nucleotides.

What is the main structural difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound structures, including a nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells do not.

What features do all cells, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, have in common?

All cells have one or more DNA-containing structures, ribosomes, and a cell membrane.

What role do ribosomes play in a cell?

Ribosomes synthesize proteins, which are essential for various cellular functions and survival.

What is the process by which proteins are made by ribosomes?

The process is called translation.

What is a codon and how is it related to mRNA?

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or signals the translation process.

How many codons make up the entire genetic code?

The entire genetic code consists of 64 codons, where 61 code for specific amino acids and 3 are stop codons.

What is the significance of the start codon AUG?

The start codon AUG signals the beginning of translation and codes for the amino acid methionine.

Why is the genetic code considered universal?

The genetic code is universal because all organisms use the same codons to code for the same amino acids, supporting the idea of a common ancestor.

What are core metabolic pathways?

Core metabolic pathways are highly conserved pathways involving enzymes required for life's essential reactions, such as energy metabolism.

What is the significance of conserved metabolic pathways in evolutionary theory?

Conserved metabolic pathways suggest that different groups of organisms share a common ancestor, from which the pathways were inherited.

What is heredity?

Heredity is the passing of genetically controlled traits from one generation to the next.

Who is known as the father of genetics?

Gregor Mendel is known as the father of genetics for his experiments with pea plants in the mid-1800s.

What is a gene?

A gene is a section of DNA that directs a cell to make a product such as a protein or RNA.

What is a locus?

A locus (plural: loci) is the specific location of a gene on a chromosome.

What are alleles?

Alleles are different versions of genetic information at a given locus.

What is a genotype?

A genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, specifically the alleles present at particular loci.

What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous genotypes?

Homozygous genotypes have two identical alleles at a locus, while heterozygous genotypes have two different alleles.

What does phenotype refer to?

Phenotype refers to the observable physical characteristics of an organism.

What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

Dominant alleles affect the phenotype when present, while recessive alleles only affect the phenotype when no dominant alleles are present.

What is Mendel's first law of inheritance?

Mendel's first law, the law of segregation, states that homologous chromosomes segregate into different gametes during meiosis.

What is Mendel's second law of inheritance?

Mendel's second law, the law of independent assortment, states that the inheritance of one allele is independent of the inheritance of another allele.

What increases genetic diversity in a population?

Sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity by combining genetic information from two different parents.

What role does meiosis play in sexual reproduction?

Meiosis is the process that creates haploid gametes from a diploid parent cell, reducing chromosome number by half.

How do probability rules apply to inheritance patterns?

Probability rules can be used to calculate the likelihood of inheriting specific traits based on allele combinations during gamete formation.

What is a Punnett square?

A Punnett square is a graphical representation used to predict the probability of offspring genotypes from parental genotypes.

How can pedigree analysis help identify genetic traits?

Pedigrees represent the inheritance of traits across generations, helping to determine whether traits are autosomal or sex-linked.

What is a sex-linked trait?

A sex-linked trait is controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes, often more common in one sex than another.