Biology: Cell Cycle and Genetic Variation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the cell cycle, genetic variation, and chromosome structures.

Alternation of Generations

A biological process where plants and algae alternate between multicellular diploid and haploid stages.

Gametes

Sex cells that carry half the number of chromosomes of a normal body cell and fuse during fertilization to form a diploid zygote.

Nondisjunction

An error in cell division that results in an abnormal number of chromosomes, leading to genetic disorders.

Deletions

A type of chromosomal alteration where a piece of a chromosome is lost, removing genes.

Duplications

Chromosomal alterations that involve copying a segment, creating extra genetic material.

Inversion

A chromosomal alteration where a segment flips and reattaches in reverse order.

Translocation

A type of chromosomal alteration where a segment moves to a different chromosome or a new location on the same chromosome.

Heredity

The transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

Genes

Sections of DNA that contain instructions for making proteins, determining an organism's traits and functions.

Ploidy Level

The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell, with diploid (2n) and haploid (n) levels being primary.