Bio Exams

Lipids

Organic compounds that are insoluble in water, including fats, oils, and waxes.

Cholesterol

A type of lipid essential for the formation of cell membranes and certain hormones.

Receptor

A protein molecule on the cell surface or within a cell that binds to specific molecules, initiating a cellular response.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions within an organism despite external changes.

Protein

Large biomolecules consisting of amino acids that perform various functions in cells.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain.

Chromosomes

Thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins that carry genetic information.

Genes

Units of heredity that are passed from parent to offspring and determine traits.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can occupy a specific locus on a chromosome.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid, a molecule that plays a crucial role in translating genetic information from DNA into proteins.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can affect genetic information.

Transcription

The process of making an RNA copy of a segment of DNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides that specifies a particular amino acid or signals the end of translation.

Anticodon

A sequence of three nucleotides in tRNA that is complementary to a codon in mRNA.

Genetic Code

The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins by living cells.

Autosomal Chromosomes

Chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes.

Crossing-Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Diploid

Cells containing two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent).

Gametes

Haploid cells (sperm and egg) that fuse during fertilization to form a zygote.

Haploid

Cells containing a single set of chromosomes.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosome pairs that are similar in length, gene position, and centromere location.

Meiosis

Cell division process that produces gametes, with chromosome number reduced by half.

Sex Chromosomes

Chromosomes that determine an individual's sex.

Sister Chromatids

Two identical copies of a chromosome connected by a centromere.

Somatic Cells

Any cell of a living organism other than reproductive cells.

Zygote

The cell formed by the fusion of two gametes (fertilization).

Allele

One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.

Dihybrid

A genetic cross between two different lines (varieties, strains) that differ in two observed traits.

Dominant

An allele that masks the presence of a recessive allele.

Gene

A unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Heterozygous

An organism having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes.

Homozygous

An individual having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes.

Monohybrid

A hybrid that is heterozygous with respect to a specified gene.

Multiple alleles

Three or more alternative forms of a gene (alleles) that can occupy the same locus.

Pedigree Chart

A diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance or phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next in a given family.

Phenotype

The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Polygenic inheritance

The determination of a particular characteristic or group of characteristics by the combined effect of many genes.

Punnett squares

A diagram that is used to predict an outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication (replication) that produces two daughter cells.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis and meiosis in cell division.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis and meiosis in cell division in which the chromosomes become aligned along the metaphase plate.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis and meiosis during which the chromosomes separate and move to opposite ends of the cell.

Cytokinesis

The process during cell division in which the cytoplasm divides.

Growth Factors

Substances required for cell growth and survival.

Oncogene

A gene that in certain circumstances can transform a cell into a tumor cell.

Tumor Suppressor

A gene whose function is to suppress the development of cancer.