Evolution and Diversity of Life, Genetic Inheritance, Gene Expression

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from lecture notes on Evolution, Genetic Inheritance, and Gene Expression.

Homology

Similarities between organisms due to shared ancestry.

Analogy

Similarities that arise due to convergent evolution in similar environments or niches.

Phylogenetic Tree

A visual representation of the evolutionary relationships between species.

Evolution

Change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Mutation

Introduction of new genetic variation into a population.

Natural Selection

The process where individuals with certain traits survive and reproduce at higher rates.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies due to chance events.

Gene Flow

Movement of genes between populations.

Adaptation

Traits enhancing survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

Reproductive Isolation

Prevention of gene flow between populations.

Allopatric Speciation

Speciation due to geographic separation.

Punnett Square

Diagram used to visualize allele combinations in offspring.

Meiosis

Cell division where homologous chromosomes separate, transmitting genetic traits.

Independent Assortment

Alleles for different traits are inherited independently.

Pedigree

Diagram showing inheritance of traits/disorders within a family.

Product Rule (Probability)

Probability of two independent events occurring together is the product of their individual probabilities.

Sum Rule (Probability)

Probability of either of two mutually exclusive events occurring is the sum of their individual probabilities.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

RNA molecule used to carry genetic code from DNA to ribosomes.

Transcription

Synthesis of RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

Synthesis of proteins from mRNA.

Codon

Three-nucleotide sequence corresponding to an amino acid or stop signal.

Silent Mutation

Mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence.

Missense Mutation

Mutation that results in the substitution of one amino acid for another.

Nonsense Mutation

Mutation that introduces a premature stop codon.

Frameshift Mutation

Mutation involving insertion or deletion of nucleotides, shifting the reading frame.

Deleterious Mutation

Mutation that decreases fitness.

Beneficial Mutation

Mutation that increases fitness.

Neutral Mutation

Mutation that has no significant effect on fitness.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Double-stranded helix composed of nucleotides; carries genetic information.