Genetics and Plant Biology

This flashcard set encompasses key concepts in genetics, plant biology, agricultural practices, and biotechnology as outlined in the lecture notes.

What is a gene?

A segment of DNA that directs protein synthesis.

What does genome refer to?

The totality of DNA in an organism’s chromosomes.

How many genomes do plants generally have?

Plants have three genomes: Nuclear, Mitochondrial, and Chloroplast.

How are chloroplast genomes typically inherited in plants?

Chloroplast genomes are usually inherited through the maternal line.

What is heredity?

Heredity is the transfer of traits from one generation to the next.

What are dominant traits?

Traits that will show up regardless of their homozygous or heterozygous status.

What are recessive traits?

Traits that will show up only when they are in a homozygous state.

What does incomplete dominance mean?

Neither allele is dominant; traits blend together.

What is polyploidy?

The condition of having more than two sets of chromosomes, common in plants.

What is germination?

The process when a seedling grows from a seed.

What are the primary components of a seed?

Protective covering (seed coat), Embryo (diploid, sporophyte), Food Storage (cotyledons/endosperms).

What environmental conditions are needed for seed germination?

Water, Light, Oxygen, and Temperature.

How do roots function in plants?

Roots anchor the plant and seek water and nutrients.

What are auxins?

Plant hormones responsible for cell elongation, directional growth, and apical dominance.

What is gibberellins?

A plant hormone that mobilizes energy for growth and affects stem elongation and flowering.

What is ethylene's role in plants?

Promotes fruit ripening and causes leaves to drop.

What is circadian rhythm?

A biological 'clock' that influences the growth and behavior of an organism.

What is phenology?

The study of periodic life cycle events in living things.

What is the Green Revolution?

An initiative aimed to help impoverished farmers increase yields and alleviate world hunger.

What is a staple crop?

Food that constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet for a given population.

What is a whole grain?

Utilizes the entire grain, providing dietary fiber and macronutrients.

What are antioxidants?

Compounds that disable free radicals.

What is the importance of plant cell walls?

They are an important source of dietary fiber.

What common sign indicates a chemical defense in plants?

Milky or colored saps can indicate the presence of secondary compounds.

Who is Shennong?

A legendary Chinese emperor known for teaching agriculture and medicinal plant use.

What is the process of artificial selection?

Humans decide which organisms survive and reproduce, directing evolution.

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation?

Sexual propagation involves seeds, while asexual propagation creates clones.

What is a GMO?

An organism whose genes have been altered by human-directed genetic engineering.

What do Roundup Ready crops do?

Crops engineered to resist herbicides, allowing for less environmentally damaging herbicide usage.

What is the significance of the US Supreme Court ruling regarding GMOs in 2013?

It ruled that a farmer may not reproduce patented seeds without the patent holder’s permission.