Archaeology 1000 - Unit 5

Dominant

ability of one allele for a trait to mask the presence of another allele

Recessive

refers to an allele for a trait whose expression in the phenotype is masked by the presence of a dominant allele

Genes

physical units of inheritance through which a number of traits are passed from generation to generation

Alleles

each of the alternate forms of a gene

Homozygous

when two alleles for a trait are of the same kind. Ex:YY

Heterozygous

when an organism has two different alleles for the same trait. Ex: Yy

Genotype

the genetic constitution of an organism

Phenotype

the observable, physical appearance of an organism

Law of Segregation

states that two alleles for any given gene are inherited, one from the mother and one from the father, and only one of the two alleles are present in each ovum or sperm

Law of Independent Assortment

in fertilization, the genes determining the different traits separate from one another and recombine to create different variations in the following generation

Germ-Plasm Theory

the germplasm is isolated from the somatoplasm and cannot incorporate the soma’s response to the environment

Germplasm

substance transmitting reproductive material to future generations

Somatoplasm

material constituting the rest of the body

DNA

nucleic acid that carries the individuals genetic information

Nucleotides

building blocks of nucleic acid. Made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar group, and a nitrogen base

Chromosomes

molecular structures containing the body’s genetic code

Nuclear DNA

the chromosomal DNA contained in the nucleus of the cell

Genome

consists of a gene and complete set of chromosomes. All the genetic information of an organism or cell

Mitochondria

organelles found in the cytoplasm of the cells that generate large quantities of energy

Mitochondrial DNA

DNA contained in the mitochondria

Protiens

complex chemical substances that are present in all living things. Carry oxygen, regulate metabolism, help muscle contractions and repair tissue

Structural Proteins

responsible for physical traits

Functional Proteins

involved in regulatory processes

Protein Synthesis

process of converting DNA template into a protein

Transcription

makes a ‘copy’ of one of the DNA strands and moves it to the ribosomes

Translation

the ribosome ‘reads’ the codes composing the mRNA and ‘translates’ them into proteins

Cell Division

when the chromosome replicates, forming a second pair that duplicates the original pair of chromosomes in the nucleus

Mitosis

the process of cell division

Somatic Cells

the daughter cells that resulted from mitosis

Meiosis

cell division associated with reproduction

Gametes

reproductive cells