Untitled Flashcards Set

Interphase

The first stage of the cell cycle where DNA exists as chromatin and consists of G1, S, and G2 phases.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that ensures the separation of duplicated genetic material into two daughter cells.

Prophase

Stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into sister chromatids, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Cytokinesis

The final stage of cell division where the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two daughter cells.

Chromatin

Loose DNA structure that is not active; condensed to form chromosomes during cell division.

Cell Plate Formation

Occurs during cytokinesis in plant cells; vesicles merge to form a cell plate creating a new cell wall.

Cleavage Furrow Formation

Occurs during cytokinesis in animal cells; actin filaments contract to pinch the cell into two daughter cells.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell division that ignores the mitotic controls.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to new locations in the body.

Hayflick Limit

The maximum number of times a normal somatic human cell can divide before cell division stops.

Recessive Condition

A genetic condition that requires individuals to be homozygous recessive to express the trait.

Dominant Condition

A genetic condition that can typically manifest in heterozygous individuals.

Codominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles contribute equally and visibly to the phenotype.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic scenario where the phenotype is a blend of the two alleles.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by alleles (e.g., Pp).

Phenotype

The observable physical characteristics of an organism.

Test Cross

A genetic cross between a homozygous recessive individual and an unknown genotype to determine its genotype.

Dihybrid Cross

A genetic cross examining two traits, typically represented in a 16-grid Punnett square.

Heterozygote Advantage

A situation where heterozygous individuals have a better chance of survival compared to homozygous individuals.

Sex-Linked Traits

Characteristics determined by genes located on sex chromosomes.

X Inactivation

Random inactivation of one X chromosome in females, resulting in Barr bodies.

Nondisjunction

A failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division, leading to gametes with abnormal chromosome numbers.

Aneuploidy

A condition where a cell has an abnormal number of chromosomes, such as in Down syndrome.

Karyotype

A display of an individual's chromosomes arranged by size, shape, and number.

Polyploidy

Condition in which a cell has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Semi-Conservative Replication

The method of DNA replication where each new double helix contains one original strand and one new strand.

Leading Strand

The DNA strand replicated continuously in the 5’ to 3’ direction during DNA replication.

Lagging Strand

The DNA strand that is replicated discontinuously, forming Okazaki fragments.

RNA Polymerase

The enzyme that synthesizes mRNA during transcription by adding nucleotides complementary to the DNA template.

Introns

Non-coding segments of a gene that are removed during RNA processing.

Exons

Coding regions of a gene that are spliced together to form mRNA.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by insertions or deletions that shift the reading frame of the genetic code.

Gene Cloning

The process of making multiple copies of a specific gene or DNA segment.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that removes damaged or dysfunctional cells.

Operons

Clusters of genes under the control of a single promoter in prokaryotes, regulated by repressor proteins.

Epigenetics

Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence.

Lipid Nanoparticles

Used to encapsulate mRNA, facilitating its delivery into cells for vaccination.

Natural Selection

The process through which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Adaptive Radiation

The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor.

Gene Pool

The total collection of genes and their alleles in a population.

Microevolution

Small-scale evolutionary changes within a population, often involving changes in allele frequencies.