Mendelian Genetics and DNA Technologies

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Mendelian Genetics and DNA Technologies.

Mendelian Genetics

The study of inheritance and the laws governing genetic traits as established by Gregor Mendel.

Dominant Trait

A trait that is expressed when at least one dominant allele is present.

Recessive Trait

A trait that is expressed only when two recessive alleles are present.

Homozygous Dominant

An individual with two identical dominant alleles.

Homozygous Recessive

An individual with two identical recessive alleles.

Heterozygous

An individual with one dominant and one recessive allele.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross between parents that differ in a single trait.

Punnett Square

A diagram that predicts the outcome of a genetic cross.

F1 Generation

The first filial generation, offspring resulting from a cross between true-breeding parental types.

F2 Generation

The second filial generation, offspring resulting from a cross between two F1 individuals.

Sex-Linked Traits

Traits controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes.

Red Eye Phenotype

Dominant phenotype in fruit flies, represented by 'XR'.

White Eye Phenotype

Recessive phenotype in fruit flies, represented by 'Xr'.

Incomplete Dominance

A form of inheritance in which neither allele is completely dominant over the other.

Codominance

A form of inheritance in which both alleles contribute to the phenotype.

Allele

Different forms of a gene that can exist at a particular locus.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual concerning a trait.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the genotype.

ABO Blood Type

A classification of blood types based on the presence or absence of antigens.

DNA Extraction

The process of isolating DNA from cells.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify segments of DNA.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method for separating DNA fragments based on their size.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's chromosomes.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Survivorship

The proportion of individuals surviving at each state of the life cycle.

Daphnia

A genus of small crustaceans used in studies of reproduction and population genetics.

Parthenogenesis

A type of asexual reproduction where an egg develops into a complete organism without fertilization.

Phenotypic Frequency

The rate at which a particular phenotype appears in a population.

Genotypic Frequency

The rate at which a particular genotype appears in a population.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies in a population.

Migration

The movement of individuals and their alleles between populations.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits.

Biological Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Carriers

Individuals who carry one copy of a recessive allele.

Hybrid

The offspring of two different varieties or species.

Chromosome

Structures within cells that contain DNA.

Trait

A characteristic that is expressed in an organism.

P Generation

The parental generation in a genetic cross.

Fertilization

The union of sperm and egg to form a zygote.

Zygote

The initial cell formed when two gametes are combined.

Chromatid

One half of two identical copies of a chromosome.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes that are similar in shape, size, and genetic content.

Environmental Selection Pressure

Factors that affect an organism's ability to survive in a particular environment.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals.

Allelic Frequency

How often an allele appears in a population.

Sexual Reproduction

The process involving the combination of male and female gametes.

Asexual Reproduction

The process of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes.

Evolution

Change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Phenotypic Variation

Differences in appearance between individuals of the same species.

Adaptive Radiation

The process in which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms.

Founder Effect

Reduced genetic diversity that occurs when a population is descended from a small number of colonizing ancestors.

Sexual Selection

A form of natural selection whereby certain traits increase mating success.

Endangered Species

A species at risk of extinction.

Trait Inheritance

The process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring.

Genetic Counseling

A field that provides information on genetic disorders.

Polygenic Traits

Traits influenced by multiple genes.

Linkage

The tendency of alleles located close together on a chromosome to be inherited together.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that has been genetically modified to contain a gene from another species.

Biotechnology

The use of living systems and organisms to develop products.

Mendel's Laws

Principles underlying the inheritance of traits, including the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment.

Fitness Trade-Offs

Balancing between advantageous traits and potential disadvantages.

Sustainability

The capacity to endure in a relatively ongoing way across various domains of life.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

Changes in the normal structure or number of chromosomes.

Gene Therapy

An experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Population Genetics

The study of how gene frequencies change in populations over time.

Selection Pressure

The different factors that influence reproductive success in a given environment.

Biogeography

The study of the geographical distribution of living organisms.

Extinction

The end of an organism or species.

Conservation Biology

The study of the preservation of biodiversity.