Key Concepts in Evolution and Cell Biology

Allopatric Speciation

The formation of new species when populations are geographically isolated.

Epigenetics

The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure of water inside a plant cell that keeps it rigid.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that plays a vital role in growth and development.

Endosymbiosis

A theory that eukaryotic cells evolved when prokaryotic cells began living inside larger host cells.

Bioluminescence

The ability of certain organisms to produce light through chemical reactions.

Totipotent Cells

Cells that can develop into any type of cell in an organism, including extraembryonic tissues.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The transfer of genetic material between organisms other than through reproduction.

Allelopathy

A biological phenomenon where plants release chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants.

Cryptobiosis

A state in which an organism's metabolic activities come to a reversible standstill in extreme conditions.

Telomere

The protective cap at the end of a chromosome that shortens during cell division.

Lichenometry

The use of lichen growth to estimate the age of exposed rocks or structures.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms, like microbes, to clean up environmental contaminants.

Amensalism

A relationship where one organism is inhibited or destroyed while the other remains unaffected.

Allosteric Regulation

The regulation of an enzyme or protein by binding an effector molecule at a site other than the active site.

Amphipathic Molecule

A molecule that has both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions.

Anastomosis

The connection or opening between two structures, such as blood vessels or leaf veins.

Chaperone Proteins (Chaperonins)

Proteins that assist in the proper folding of other proteins.

Coevolution

The process by which two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution.

Endocytosis

The process by which cells engulf external substances, bringing them inside in vesicles.

Exaptation

A trait that evolves for one function but is later co-opted for a different function.

Founder Effect

A type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population.

Hox Genes

A group of related genes that control the body plan and development of structures in an embryo.

Karyotyping

The process of pairing and ordering all chromosomes of an organism to detect abnormalities.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral reproductive cycle in which viral DNA is integrated into the host genome without immediately killing the host.

Operon

A cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, common in prokaryotes.

Parthenogenesis

A form of reproduction in which an egg develops into an individual without being fertilized.

Peripatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs when a small population becomes isolated at the edge of a larger population.

Quorum Sensing

A system of stimuli and responses in bacteria that allows them to coordinate behavior based on population density.