Untitled Flashcards Set

Hox genes

A group of regulatory genes that dictate the body plan and the arrangement of limbs in embryonic development.

Regulatory genes

Genes that control the expression of other genes, influencing developmental processes and cell differentiation.

DNA and RNA

DNA serves as the genetic blueprint for an organism, while RNA facilitates the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes in protein synthesis.

Natural selection

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

Peppered moth example

Illustrates how natural selection can lead to changes in species; darker moths became more prevalent during the Industrial Revolution due to pollution.

Mutations in DNA

Mutations that occur in gametes (reproductive cells) are most likely to impact evolution, as they can be passed to offspring.

Somatic cells vs. Gametes

Somatic cells are non-reproductive cells in the body, while gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) that carry genetic information to the next generation.

Law of independent assortment

States that alleles for different traits segregate independently of one another during gamete formation.

Law of segregation

States that the two alleles for a trait separate during meiosis so that each gamete carries only one allele for each trait.

Blood types and codominance

Blood types illustrate codominance, where both A and B alleles are expressed equally in individuals with AB blood type.

Lamarck's theory

Proposed that organisms evolve through acquired characteristics, which is a concept related to the theory of evolution.

Environment in biological anthropology

Refers to the surrounding conditions that influence the biology and evolution of human beings.

Darwin’s Finches

A group of finch species studied by Darwin that demonstrate adaptive radiation and natural selection in response to different food sources.

Mitosis and meiosis

Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four genetically diverse gametes.

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet.

Evolution and life history

Explores how evolutionary processes influence human development, aging, and reproductive strategies.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

A principle that describes the genetic variation within a population that remains constant from one generation to the next in the absence of disturbing factors.

Sickle-cell anemia and fitness

Shows that having one sickle-cell allele provides a survival advantage against malaria, illustrating the relationship between disease and evolution.