Genetics and Inheritance Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from genetics lecture notes.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of living organisms.

Prokaryotic Cell

A type of cell that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; DNA is in the cytoplasm.

Eukaryotic Cell

A type of cell that contains a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Organelle

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains the genetic material (DNA).

Somatic Cell

Any biological cell forming the body of a multicellular organism other than gametes, germ cells, gametocytes or undifferentiated stem cells.

Gamete

A sex cell (sperm or egg) involved in reproduction.

Genetics

The study of inherited characteristics called traits.

Chromosome

A thread-like structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

Homologous Chromosomes

Matching pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry genes for the same traits.

Karyotype

A picture of all the chromosomes in a cell, arranged in pairs from largest to smallest.

Autosomes

Chromosomes not involved in determining the sex of an organism (non-sex chromosomes).

Haploid

Having half the number of chromosomes (n), as in gametes.

Diploid

Having the full set of chromosomes (2n), as in somatic cells.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that stores and transmits genetic information, determining the characteristics of living things.

Nucleotide

The basic structural unit of DNA, consisting of a phosphate group, a nitrogen base (A, T, G, or C), and deoxyribose sugar.

Base Pair

A pair of complementary nitrogen bases in DNA (A with T, and G with C).

Gene

A section of DNA along a chromosome that codes for a particular characteristic or trait.

Genetic Code

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA) is translated into proteins by living cells.

Trait

A genetically determined characteristic or condition.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence.

Mutagen

A factor that increases the rate of mutations.

Somatic Mutation

A mutation that occurs in somatic (body) cells and is not heritable.

Germline Mutation

A mutation that occurs in germline (sperm and egg) cells and can be passed onto offspring.

Chromosomal Mutation

A large-scale change to whole sections or entire chromosomes.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that occurs in somatic cells, resulting in two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

The process that creates gametes (sex cells), halving the chromosome number from diploid to haploid.

Interphase

The longest phase in the cell cycle, during which the cell grows, performs its normal functions, and replicates its DNA.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis, during which chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear membrane breaks down, and spindle fibers begin to form.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis during which chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis during which spindle fibers pull sister chromatids apart to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis, during which chromatids reach opposite poles, nuclear membranes reform, and chromosomes uncoil.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, forming two separate daughter cells.

Chromosome

A structure within the cell that contains DNA.

Chromatid

One of two identical copies of a chromosome formed during DNA replication.

Sister Chromatids

Two identical copies of a chromosome joined together at the centromere.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, increasing genetic variation.

Independent Assortment

The random lining up of chromosomes during meiosis.

Genetic Variation

The diversity in gene frequencies.

Inheritance

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

Allele

A version of a gene.

Genotype

The combination of alleles an individual has.

Phenotype

The physical expression of a trait.

Dominant Allele

An allele that suppresses the expression of the recessive allele.

Recessive Allele

An allele is not physically expressed in an individual unless two copies are present in the individual.

Homozygous

Means both alleles are the same.

Heterozygous

Means the two alleles are different.

Sex-Linked Inheritance

Inheritance patterns that are linked to sex chromosomes.

Carrier

An individual who carries and is capable of passing on a genetic mutation associated with a disease and may or may not display disease symptoms.