Biology - Genetics and Evolution Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards for Biology - Genetics and Evolution Revision

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for all known living organisms and many viruses.

Genes

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

Chromosomes

A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Mutations

Alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA.

Nitrogenous Base Sequencing

The order of nitrogenous bases on a strand of DNA. Mutations may affect the formation of proteins due to changes in this sequence.

Diploid

Containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid

Having a single set of unpaired chromosomes.

Fertilisation

The process of combining male and female gametes.

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, typical of ordinary tissue growth.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes and plant spores.

Phenotype

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

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene.

Homozygous Dominant

Having two identical dominant alleles for a particular gene.

Homozygous Recessive

Having two identical recessive alleles for a particular gene.

Genetic Trait

A trait that is determined by genes.

Acquired Trait

A trait that is not determined by genes, but is acquired during life.

Sex-linked Inheritance

Inheritance of a gene that is carried on a sex chromosome.

Autosomal Inheritance

Inheritance of a gene that is carried on an autosome (non-sex chromosome).

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Species

A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

Selection

The process by which some organisms are better suited to their environment than others, and are therefore more likely to survive and reproduce.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.

Homologous

Having the same structure but different function.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to adaptation and evolution.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Geographic Isolation

The physical separation of members of a population.

Homologous Structures

Structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry.