Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology Overview

What are the components that make up DNA?

DNA is made up of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases.

What are the complementary base pairs in DNA?

Adenine pairs with Thymine, and Guanine pairs with Cytosine.

How many hydrogen bonds form between adenine and thymine?

Two hydrogen bonds.

How many hydrogen bonds form between guanine and cytosine?

Three hydrogen bonds.

What is the process of DNA replication?

DNA replication involves DNA helicase breaking hydrogen bonds to separate the strands, single-stranded binding proteins keeping the strands apart, and polymerase adding new nucleotides to form two identical double helices.

What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

mRNA carries the message from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

What is the difference between transcription and translation in protein synthesis?

Transcription is the process of creating mRNA from DNA, while translation is the process of decoding mRNA to form proteins.

What are mutations and how can they affect DNA?

Mutations are changes in DNA that are not fixed by DNA polymerase, which can lead to incorrect nucleotides being incorporated. They can be silent (no effect) or cause frame shifts (significant effects).

What is the goal of meiosis?

The goal of meiosis is to create genetic diversity by shuffling DNA to produce four genetically unique haploid cells.

What are the differences between homozygous and heterozygous alleles?

Homozygous alleles are two identical alleles, while heterozygous alleles are two different alleles.

What is the definition of dominant and recessive alleles?

Dominant alleles are expressed even when paired with a recessive allele, while recessive alleles are only expressed when they are the only allele present.

What is codominance in genetics?

Codominance occurs when both dominant alleles are expressed, resulting in a phenotype that shows both traits (e.g., spotted).

What is incomplete dominance?

Incomplete dominance is when both alleles are partially expressed, creating a new phenotype (e.g., a blend of traits).

What is the significance of polygenic inheritance?

Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes affecting a single phenotype, leading to a range of traits.

What is the role of the environment in epigenetics?

Epigenetics studies how environmental factors can affect gene expression.

What is ecology?

Ecology is the study of interactions between living organisms and their environment.

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors?

Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, while abiotic factors are non-living components.

What are producers and consumers in an ecosystem?

Producers are organisms that create energy (e.g., plants), while consumers obtain energy by eating other organisms.

What is artificial selection?

Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed organisms for desired traits.

What is natural selection?

Natural selection is the process where better-adapted individuals survive and reproduce, passing on their genes.

What types of evidence support the theory of evolution?

Evidence for evolution includes fossil records, comparative anatomy, biogeography, embryology, and molecular biology.

What is a zygote?

A zygote is a fertilized egg that results from the union of sperm and egg.