haile chapter 13- Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles haile

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to meiosis and sexual life cycles.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the parent cell by half to produce four unique haploid daughter cells, essential for sexual reproduction.

Asexual Reproduction

A mode of reproduction in which offspring are exact genetic copies of the parent organism.

Gene

Hereditary units of DNA that carry coded information for specific traits.

Karyotype

A visual representation of chromosomes in a cell ordered by size, shape, and number.

Gametes

Reproductive (sex) cells that transmit genes from one generation to the next. Haploid reproductive cells are produced by meiosis.

Crossing Over

The process during Prophase I of meiosis where non-sister chromatids exchange genetic material, producing genetic variation.

Diploid Cell (2n)

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

Haploid Cell (n)

A cell that contains one set of chromosomes, typical of gametes.

Zygote

A fertilized egg that contains genetic material from both the male and female gametes.

Independent Assortment

The random orientation of homologous pairs of chromosomes during Metaphase I, leading to genetic variation.

Fertilization

The union of a male gamete (sperm) and a female gamete (egg) to form a zygote.

Homologous Chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes that are similar in shape, size, and genetic content.

Mutations

Changes in an organism’s DNA and the original source of genetic diversity.

Alleles

Different versions of a gene that can produce variation in traits among individuals.

Cytokinesis

The process during cell division where the cytoplasm divides, forming two daughter cells.

Somatic Cells

Any cells of the body except for gametes; typically diploid (2n).

Sporophyte

The multicellular diploid stage in the life cycle of plants that produces spores.

Gametophyte

The multicellular haploid stage in the plant life cycle that produces gametes.