End of term exam terms

Complex traits

Traits influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.

Polygenic traits

Traits controlled by two or more genes that contribute to a single effect.

Multifactorial traits

Traits affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression.

Heritability

A measure of how much of a trait's variation is due to genetic factors.

Centromere

The region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined.

Telomere

The protective end of a chromosome that shortens during cell division.

P arm

The shorter arm of a chromosome.

Q arm

The longer arm of a chromosome.

Sex chromosomes

Chromosomes that determine an individual's sex (X and Y chromosomes).

Autosomes

Chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's complete set of chromosomes.

Polyploidy

A condition in which an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Aneuploidy

A condition in which an organism has an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Monosomy

The presence of only one copy of a chromosome instead of the normal two.

Trisomy

The presence of an extra copy of a chromosome.

Nondisjunction

The failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been artificially made by combining DNA from different organisms.

Restriction enzymes

Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences.

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction; a method used to amplify DNA.

Southern blot

A technique used to detect specific DNA sequences in DNA samples.

DNA sequencing

The process of determining the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule.

DNA microarray

A tool used to study gene expression and genetic variations.

Biotechnology

The use of biological systems or organisms to develop products.

Embryonic stem cells

Stem cells derived from early embryos that can differentiate into any cell type.

Pluripotent

Cells that have the potential to differentiate into any type of cell.

Adult stem cells

Stem cells found in adult tissues that can differentiate into a limited number of cell types.

Multipotent

Cells that can differentiate into a limited range of cell types.

Induced pluripotent stem cells

Adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.

GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms; organisms whose DNA has been altered for specific traits.

Transgenic

Organisms that contain a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted.

DNA fingerprint

A unique pattern of DNA markers used for identification purposes.

STR

Short Tandem Repeats; repeating sequences of DNA used in genetic profiling.

DNA profile

A representation of an individual's unique DNA characteristics.

Genome

The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.

Linkage

The tendency of genes located close together on a chromosome to be inherited together.

Genomics

The study of genomes, including the sequencing and analysis of genomes.

Bioinformatics

The application of computational tools to manage and analyze biological data.

Comparative genomics

The study of the similarities and differences in the genomes of different organisms.

Pharmacogenomics

The study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs.

Map-based sequencing

A method of sequencing genomes that involves creating a physical map of the genome.

Whole genome sequencing

Determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome.

Haplotype

A combination of alleles at different loci that are transmitted together.

Microbiome

The collection of microbes residing in a specific environment, including the human body.

Proteomics

The large-scale study of proteins, particularly their functions and structures.

Population

A group of individuals belonging to the same species that live in the same area.

Allele frequency

A measure of how common a certain allele is in a population.

Genotype frequency

The proportion of a particular genotype within a population.

Hardy-Weinberg law

Principle stating that allele and genotype frequencies will remain constant in a population.

Genetic equilibrium

A state where allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant.

Gene pool

The total collection of alleles in a population.

Founder effects

Reduced genetic diversity that results when a population is established by a small number of individuals.

Genetic drift

Random changes in allele frequencies that occur in small populations.

Evolution

The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Natural selection

The process through which traits become more or less common in a population based on their survival and reproduction.

Fitness

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