Botany 3

Allele

Different forms of a gene at a particular locus (position on a chromosome).

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.

Central Dogma

The fundamental principle of molecular biology stating that the flow of genetic information is typically from DNA to RNA to protein.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal during translation.

Dominant Allele

An allele whose trait is always expressed when present in a heterozygote.

Gene

A specific segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a functional product (either RNA or protein).

Genetic Drift

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies from one generation to the next, especially significant in small populations.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, referring to the specific alleles it possesses.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Law of Independent Assortment

Mendel's law stating that alleles for different traits segregate independently of one another during gamete formation.

Law of Segregation

Mendel's law stating that the two alleles for a heritable character segregate during gamete formation and end up in different gametes.

Mutation

A heritable change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms with heritable traits that better suit their environment tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than individuals without those traits.

Phenotype

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype and the environment.

Recessive Allele

An allele whose trait is masked in a heterozygote by the presence of a dominant allele.

Speciation

The evolutionary process by which new biological species arise.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a polypeptide chain (protein) from an mRNA template.