Cell Division, Inheritance, and Gene Expression

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to cell division, inheritance, and gene expression.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Mitosis

A type of cell division where the duplicated genetic material is distributed evenly to two daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The process in which the cytoplasm of a cell divides to form two new daughter cells.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that takes place in a cell leading to its division and duplication.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell is not dividing but preparing for division; includes G1, S, and G2 phases.

G1 phase

The first gap phase in interphase where the cell grows and synthesizes proteins and organelles.

S phase

The synthesis phase of interphase where DNA is replicated.

G2 phase

The second gap phase in interphase where the cell prepares for mitosis.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where the chromatin condenses into chromosomes and the nuclear membrane disintegrates.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis where chromosomes align along the metaphase plate at the cell's equator.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The final phase of mitosis where chromosomes de-condense and nuclear envelopes reform around each set of chromosomes.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that results in four haploid gametes, involving two rounds of division and genetic recombination.

Tetrad

A structure containing four chromatids that forms during prophase I of meiosis.

Crossing Over

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

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual; the specific alleles present.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an individual; how the genotype is expressed.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a trait, either dominant or recessive.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait, one dominant and one recessive.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic scenario where one allele is not fully dominant over another, resulting in a blending of traits.

Codominance

A genetic situation where both alleles in the genotype are fully expressed and the resulting phenotype is neither dominant nor recessive.

Sex-linked Traits

Traits that are determined by genes located on sex chromosomes, often found on the X chromosome.

Punnett Square

A tool used to determine the probability of genotypic combinations in offspring.

Pedigree

A diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance of phenotypes of a particular genetic trait in several generations of a family.

Chromosomal Disorders

Genetic variations that may be due to mutations causing changes in chromosome structure or number.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, typically proteins.

Transcription

The process of copying a gene's DNA sequence to produce a complementary RNA strand.

Translation

The process of decoding mRNA to synthesize proteins based on the sequence of codons.

Central Dogma

The framework that explains the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.