Y10 Biology - Genetics

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular biology, DNA structure, protein synthesis, mutations, cell division, and simple inheritance based on lecture notes.

Gel Electrophoresis

A laboratory technique used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins based on molecule sizes and electrical charge.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The genetic information inside the cells of all living things that defines them and is stored in the nucleus.

Complementary base pairs

The manner in which pairs of the DNA molecule align with each other, such as $A = T$ and $C = G$.

Anti-parallel

A description of the DNA structure where both strands are in opposite directions to each other.

Proteins

Compounds that give structure and function to all cells, built from a DNA blueprint (recipe).

Amino acids

The basic units that join together to make proteins.

Genes

A section of DNA which codes for one protein only, acts as a heredity unit, and consists of a specific sequence of DNA bases.

Nucleotides

One unit (monomer) of DNA consisting of a phosphate, a Deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base ($A$, $T$, $C$, or $G$).

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid molecule that aids in copying and transferring DNA instructions outside the nucleus to create proteins.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

A type of RNA that copies instructions from DNA and carries them outside the nucleus to the ribosomes.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

A type of RNA that delivers specific amino acids to the ribosome to be assembled into proteins.

rRNA (Ribosomal RNA)

A type of RNA that forms the core part of the ribosome itself and helps translate the mRNA into proteins.

Mutations

A permanent change in one or more bases in the DNA base sequence which alters protein synthesis and causes malfunction.

Frame shift mutation

A mutation involving the deletion or insertion of a single base, causing all codons after the mutation to shift.

Point mutations

Mutations involving only one base change, categorized as silent, missense, or nonsense.

Silent mutation

A point mutation where the changed codon still codes for the same amino acid.

Missense mutation

A point mutation where the changed codon codes for a different amino acid.

Nonsense mutation

A point mutation where the changed codon codes for a stop.

Mitosis

A type of cell division for growth and repair that creates two new cells from pre-existing somatic cells.

PMAT

An acronym for the four phases of mitosis: Prophase (prominent), Metaphase (middle/merge), Anaphase (apart), and Telophase (two).

Adaptation

A change that makes an organism better suited to its environment, enabling it to survive, flourish, and reproduce.

Structural Adaptations

Evolved modifications to a creature’s physical appearance or anatomy.

Physiological Adaptations

Evolved modifications to an organism’s internal and cellular functioning or metabolic processes.

Behavioural Adaptations

Evolved modifications in an organism's actions or activities that help it survive.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in the same region at a given time.

Variation

A difference in traits between individuals of the same species.

Allele

Different versions of genes.

Evolution

Any change in genetic traits in a population over many generations.

Meiosis

A form of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and eggs) and results in daughter cells that vary in genetic makeup.

Haploid

Cells, such as gametes, that contain only one set of chromosomes (e.g., $23$ chromosomes).

Diploid

Cells, such as somatic cells or zygotes, that contain two sets of chromosomes (e.g., $46$ chromosomes).

Zygote

A diploid cell formed by the fusion of two haploid gametes (egg and sperm).

Genotype

An organism's specific combination of alleles for a given gene, usually represented in letter form (e.g., $Aa$).

Phenotype

The physical manifestation of an organism's genotype, such as blue eyes.

Dominant allele

An allele represented by a capital letter that will always show itself in the phenotype when present.

Recessive allele

An allele represented by a lowercase letter that is masked by the dominant trait in the phenotype.

Homozygous

A genotype consisting of two identical alleles, such as $AA$ or $aa$.

Heterozygous

A genotype consisting of two different alleles, such as $Aa$, sometimes referred to as a carrier.

Autosomes

The chromosomes numbered $1$ to $22$ which contain genes not connected to sexual characteristics.

Sex Chromosomes

The $23$rd pair of chromosomes ($X$ and $Y$) that contain genes for sexual characteristics.