Topic 3 genetics

What is diffusion?

The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Define osmosis.

The movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Explain photosynthesis.

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

What are enzymes?

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells without being consumed.

What is a cell membrane?

The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell that controls the movement of substances in and out.

Describe the role of mitochondria.

Organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell, where cellular respiration occurs to produce energy.

What is homeostasis?

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within an organism.

Define genetic variation.

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which can result in different traits.

What is the function of ribosomes?

Cell organelles that synthesize proteins by translating messenger RNA.

What is a gene?

A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein or function.

Define allele.

Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

What is genotype?

The genetic makeup of an individual, consisting of alleles inherited from both parents.

What is phenotype?

The observable characteristics or traits of an individual, which result from the genotype and environment.

Explain homozygous.

A genotype consisting of two identical alleles for a trait, such as AA or aa.

What is heterozygous?

A genotype consisting of two different alleles for a trait, such as Aa.

What does dominant mean in genetics?

An allele that expresses its trait even in the presence of a recessive allele.

Define recessive.

An allele that only expresses its trait if the second allele is also recessive.

What is a Punnett square?

A diagram used to predict the genotypes of offspring from parental allele combinations.

What is natural selection?

A process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.