Heredity and Generic Variation Reviewer Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic genetics, Philippine biodiversity, biotechnology, environmental sustainability, climate change, and space technologies as outlined in the lecture notes.

Gene

A segment of DNA that carries the instructions for a specific trait.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that carries all genetic information in living organisms.

Trait

An observable characteristic of an organism such as hair color, height, or dimples.

Allele

Different versions of the same gene.

Dominant Allele

The allele that is expressed even when only one copy is present, usually written in uppercase.

Recessive Allele

The allele that is only expressed when two copies are present, usually written in lowercase.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, such as DD, Dd, or dd.

Phenotype

The physical appearance or observable trait resulting from the genotype.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a trait.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait.

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to their offspring through genes.

Pedigree

A diagram that shows how a trait is passed through generations of a family to track genetic conditions.

Genetic variation

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals in a population.

Mutations

Random changes in DNA sequences which serve as a source of genetic variation.

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

Endemic Species

Species that are found only in a specific region and nowhere else in the world.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

Habitat

The natural environment where an organism lives and finds what it needs to survive.

Conservation

The protection and preservation of natural environments and species.

Extinction

The complete disappearance of a species from the Earth.

Threatened Species

Species at risk of becoming extinct if threats are not reduced.

Producers

Organisms like plants that capture energy from sunlight and produce food through photosynthesis.

Consumers

Animals that obtain energy by eating plants or other animals.

Decomposers

Fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil.

Biotechnology

The application of biological systems and organisms to develop useful products and technologies.

Fermentation

A metabolic process where microorganisms break down sugar to produce useful products like alcohol or acids.

Genetic Engineering

Directly manipulating an organism's DNA to produce desired traits.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides immunity against a specific disease.

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)

An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering.

Bioinformatics

The use of digital tools and computers to analyze biological data such as DNA sequences.

Natural Resource

A material or substance occurring in nature that can be used by humans, such as water, soil, or minerals.

Renewable Resource

A resource that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy or wind.

Non-Renewable Resource

A resource that cannot be replenished at the rate it is used, such as coal or oil.

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits that humans receive from healthy ecosystems, such as clean air and pollination.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, such as $CO_2$, methane, or water vapor.

Greenhouse Effect

The natural process by which certain gases trap heat from the sun in Earth's atmosphere to warm the planet.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

The amplification of the greenhouse effect due to increased levels of GHGs from human activities.

Global Warming

The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature, primarily caused by human-emitted GHGs.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other climate variables.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases, especially $CO_2$, released by an individual, organization, or activity.

Satellite

An object placed in orbit around Earth or another celestial body to collect data, communicate, or observe.

Space Probe

An unmanned spacecraft sent to explore planets, moons, or other bodies in the solar system.

Robotic Rover

A space vehicle designed to land on a planet or moon and collect scientific data from the surface.

Remote Sensing

The use of satellites or aircraft to gather information about Earth's surface without direct contact.

Weather Forecasting

The prediction of atmospheric conditions using data from weather satellites and stations.

Disaster Monitoring

The use of satellite data to track natural disasters like typhoons, floods, and volcanic eruptions in real time.