Population Genetics and Mendelian Genetics

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to population genetics and Mendelian genetics topics for exam preparation.

Allele Frequency

The relative frequency of an allele at a genetic locus in a population.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

Genetic Equilibrium

A state in which allele frequencies in a population remain constant over generations.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies that occur in small populations.

Bottleneck Effect

A dramatic reduction in population size that results in a loss of genetic diversity.

Founder Effect

A loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a small number of individuals.

Principle of Heredity

Genetic inheritance from parents to offspring as proposed by Gregor Mendel.

Principle of Segregation

The principle stating that alleles segregate during gamete formation.

Principle of Independent Assortment

The principle stating that the alleles for different traits are distributed to gametes independently.

Purebred

An organism that is homozygous for a trait, having identical alleles.

Hybrid

An organism that is heterozygous for a trait, having different alleles.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the genotypes of a particular cross or breeding experiment.

Pedigree

A chart that shows the lineage or genealogy of an individual.

Simple Dominance

A form of inheritance in which one allele is fully expressed over a recessive allele.

Incomplete Dominance

A form of inheritance in which neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blended phenotype.

Codominance

A form of inheritance in which both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype.

Multiple Alleles

A genetic scenario where three or more alleles exist for a particular gene.

Polygenic Inheritance

Inheritance pattern of a trait controlled by multiple genes.

Sex-Linked Traits

Traits associated with genes located on the sex chromosomes.

Carriers

Individuals who carry one copy of a recessive allele but do not exhibit the trait.

Promoters

Regions of DNA that initiate transcription of a particular gene.

Enhancers

DNA sequences that increase the likelihood of transcription of a particular gene.

Silencers (Repressors)

DNA sequences that inhibit the transcription of a gene.

Regulatory Proteins

Proteins that influence the transcription of specific genes by binding to nearby DNA.

Introns

Non-coding sections of a gene that are removed during RNA processing.

Exons

Coding sections of a gene that are expressed in the final mRNA.

Environmental Effects

Factors in the environment that can influence gene expression, such as hormones or temperature.

Cell Differentiation

The process through which cells become specialized in structure and function.

Homeotic Genes

Genes that regulate the development of anatomical structures.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types.