Sexual Life Cycles and Meiosis

These vocabulary flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to sexual life cycles and meiosis as discussed in the Honors Biology lecture.

Heredity

The transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

Genetics

The study of heredity and hereditable variation.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that transmit genes from one generation to the next.

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving a single parent that produces genetically identical offspring called clones.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving two parents that results in genetically diverse offspring.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosome pairs that are similar in length, centromere position, staining pattern, and gene sequences.

Diploid Cell (2n)

A cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Haploid Cell (n)

A cell containing a single set of chromosomes.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosome sets from two to one, resulting in haploid gametes.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis.

Independent Assortment

The random distribution of homologous chromosome pairs during meiosis I, leading to genetic variation.

Aneuploidy

An abnormal number of chromosomes in a zygote caused by nondisjunction during meiosis.

Trisomy

A type of aneuploidy where there are three homologous chromosomes for a particular chromosome type.

Monosomy

A type of aneuploidy where there is one missing homologous chromosome.

Polyploidy

The condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Sporophyte

The multicellular diploid stage in the alternation of generations in plants.

Gametophyte

The multicellular haploid stage that produces gametes in the alternation of generations.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere cools and transforms into liquid droplets, forming clouds.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plant roots and later released as water vapor through stomata in leaves.