bology

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

The molecule that carries genetic information in living things

Hereditary

Traits passed from parents to offspring

Deoxyribose (sugar)

The sugar component of DNA nucleotides

Nucleotide

The building block of DNA made of sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen base

Phosphate

Part of the DNA backbone linking nucleotides together

Adenine

A nitrogen base in DNA that pairs with thymine

Cytosine

A nitrogen base in DNA that pairs with guanine

Thymine

A nitrogen base in DNA that pairs with adenine

Complementary base pairing

The rule that A pairs with T and C pairs with G in DNA

Gene

A section of DNA that codes for a trait or protein

Inherited

Received genetic traits from parents

Genetic traits

Characteristics determined by genes that are passed from parent to child

Phenotype

The observable traits of an organism (what you can see)

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism (the alleles it has)

Allele

Different forms of the same gene

Dominant allele

An allele that is expressed even if only one copy is present

Recessive allele

An allele that is only expressed when two copies are present

Gametes

Sex cells (sperm and egg) that carry half the genetic information

Somatic cells

Body cells that make up most of an organism

Cell division

The process by which a cell splits to form new cells

Mitosis

Cell division that produces two identical diploid body cells

Meiosis

Cell division that produces four non-identical haploid gametes

Interphase

Stage where the cell grows and replicates its DNA before division

Prophase

Stage where chromosomes condense and the nucleus begins to break down

Metaphase

Stage where chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell

Anaphase

Stage where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles

Telophase

Stage where new nuclei form around each set of chromosomes

Haploid

Cells with one set of chromosomes (n)

Diploid

Cells with two sets of chromosomes (2n)

Disease

A condition that affects the normal functioning of the body

Characteristic

A feature or trait of a disease

Pandemic

A disease that spreads across many countries or worldwide

Endemic

A disease that is regularly found in a specific area

Infectious

A disease that can be spread between organisms

Non-infectious

A disease that cannot be spread between organisms

Causes (of disease)

Factors that lead to a disease (e.g. pathogens, genetics, lifestyle)

How a disease is transmitted from one host to another

Spread of a disease (direct contact, droplet transmition, indirect contact or genetically if it is a non infectious disease)

Ways to treat, control, or prevent a disease

Vaccines, antibiotics, washing hands, and sanitation.

Infectious diseases

Diseases caused by pathogens that can spread

Pathogen

A microorganism that causes disease

Bacterial

Caused by bacteria

Virus

A tiny infectious agent that replicates inside host cells

Microorganism

A microscopic living organism

Eukaryotic

Cells with a nucleus (e.g. fungi, parasites)

Prokaryotic

Cells without a nucleus (e.g. bacteria)

Non-infectious disease

Disease not caused by pathogens and cannot spread

Non-communicable disease

Another term for non-infectious disease

Chronic disease

A long-lasting disease that develops over time

Inheritance

The process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a gene (e.g. AA or aa)

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a gene (e.g. Aa)