Science 8

Gene

Hereditary unit passed down from our family

Trait

A distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically belonging to a person.

Variation

Difference within a trait

Phenotype

The way an individual looks for a specific trait, the physical characteristic that you can see

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual, the combination of alleles or genes that an organism has

Allele

Different forms of genes which can cause different forms of proteins which lead to variations in a trait

Pedigree

A diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family.

Sexual Reproduction

A biological process that creates a new organism by combining the genetic material of two organisms.

Dominant

An allele that expresses its phenotype even in the presence of a recessive allele a trait inherited from an organism’s parents that only requires 1 copy of an allele

Recessive

An allele that only expresses its phenotype when two copies are present.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.(AA or aa)

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene. (Aa)

Chromosome

A thread-like structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.

Tropomyosin

A protein involved in muscle contraction and regulation.

Actin

A protein that forms microfilaments and is involved in muscle contraction and cell movement.

Myosin

A motor protein that interacts with actin to cause muscle contraction.

Cell

The basic unit of life

Nucleus

Stores + protects the (DNA) in the form of chromosomes

Smooth ER

Makes lipids, breaks down carbs, detoxify drugs+ harmful substances

Golgi Apparatus

changes, sorts + packages proteins

Vacuoles

stores substances, manage waste, provides structural support for the cell

Rough ER

Makes + process proteins

Ribosomes

The site of protein synthesis- helps assemble proteins.

Mitochondria

Known as the powerhouse of the cell, creates chemical energy.

Cell Membrane

A barrier that controls what enters and exists a cell

Cytoplasm

The gel-like substance within the cell membrane that contains organelles helps support structure.

Organizational Levels of an Organism

The hierarchy of biological organization, from atoms to the whole organism.

Organism (Whole Body)

A living entity that can function independently.

Organ Systems

Groups of organs that work together to perform complex functions.

Organs

Structures composed of different types of tissues that work together to perform specific functions.

Tissues

Groups of cells that have a similar structure and function.

Cells

The smallest unit of life that can replicate independently.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct processes.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA and carry genetic information.

Proteins

Large biomolecules made up of amino acids that perform a variety of functions in the body.

Intermediate

When a third phenotype is created due to incomplete dominance