Biology Grade 11: Genetics

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts related to genetics for Grade 11 Biology, designed to aid in exam preparation.

Genetics

The branch of biology concerned with the study of the genetic materials and how traits are passed from one generation to the next.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The hereditary material in humans and other organisms, existing in a double helix formed by base pairs attached to a sugar-phosphate backbone.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A molecule serving as the genetic code in some viruses and involved in protein synthesis in cells.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA molecules, composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, resulting in messenger RNA (mRNA).

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from amino acids based on the sequence of codons in mRNA.

Mendelian Inheritance

Patterns of inheritance of traits controlled by a single gene with two alleles, as described by Gregor Mendel.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross between two individuals focusing on one trait.

Dihybrid Cross

A genetic cross between individuals focusing on two traits.

Test Cross

A genetic cross used to determine the genotype of an individual with a dominant phenotype by crossing it with a known homozygous recessive individual.

Law of Segregation

Mendel's first law stating that allele pairs segregate during gamete formation, and randomly unite at fertilization.

Law of Independent Assortment

Mendel's second law stating that genes for different traits segregate independently of one another in gametes.

Sex-linked Traits

Traits that are associated with genes located on sex chromosomes, often impacting one sex more than the other.

Inheritance Pattern

The manner in which genes and traits are passed from parents to offspring.

Genetic Disorder

A disease caused by a change or mutation in an individual's DNA, potentially transmitted from parent to offspring.

Co-dominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, leading to a phenotype that is neither dominant nor recessive.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic scenario where the phenotype of the heterozygote is intermediate between the phenotypes of the two homozygotes.

Multiple Alleles

A situation in which a gene has more than two alleles influencing a trait.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or cure diseases by replacing, inactivating, or introducing genes.

Bioinformatics

An interdisciplinary field that uses software and algorithms to analyze biological data, particularly genomic and proteomic data.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which result from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual, often denoted by the alleles present for a specific gene.