meosis/rna synthesis

Gametes

the male and female sex cells

Meiosis

The process of making gametes, a reduction division of one cell into 4 sex cells

Alleles

different versions of a gene (the different protein instructions a gene can have)

Independent assortment

The allele a gamete receives for one gene does not affect the allele received for another gene.

Law of segregation

During meiosis each gamete receives just one gene copy, which is selected randomly

Crossing over

The exchange of genes between homologous chromosomes

Homologous chromosomes

Chromosome pairs (1 from each parent) that have the same genes, but the genes may contain different alleles.

Fertilization

process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell

Trait

specific characteristic of an individual

Genetic Variation

differences between the genes of individuals or differences between the genes found in a population.

Diploid

Having a full set of chromosomes

Haploid

Having no homologous pairs (half the chromosome number)

Protein

organic molecules with structural importance in cells, made of amino acids

Amino acid

building blocks (subunits) of proteins

RNA

a nucleic acid that plays an important role in the production of proteins

Complimentary Strand

a section of one nucleic acid chain that is bonded to another by a sequence of base pairs

Nucleus

organelle that contains the instructions for making a protein

Nuclear membrane

membrane that surrounds the nucleus of the cell

Uracil

base in RNA that pairs with adenine (takes the place of thymine)

Codon

three nucleotides in mRNA that code for a single amino acid

Transcription

process of making mRNA from DNA

MRNA

messenger RNA copies message from DNA and brings it out of the nucleus to the ribosome

Translation

decodes the mRNA to make a protein.

TRNA

transfers amino acids to ribosomes during protein synthesis

Ribosomes

organelle where protein synthesis occurs

Polypeptide

long chain of amino acids that makes proteins

Anticodon

group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to the three bases of a codon of mRNA

Enzymes

protein catalyst that speeds up the rate of specific biological reactions

Hormone

chemical produced in one part of an organism that affects another part of the same organism

Structural Proteins

proteins whose main function is to provide mechanical support

Receptors

on or in a cell, a specific protein to whose shape fits a specific molecular messenger, such as a hormone