May 16 - Biology Final

Mitosis

Produces two identical diploid daughter cells.

Meiosis

Produces four unique haploid daughter cells.

Haploid

A cell that contains one complete set of chromosomes (23 in humans).

Diploid

A cell that contains two complete sets of chromosomes (46 in humans).

Gamete

A sex cell that is haploid.

Somatic Cell

A body cell that is diploid.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's chromosomes.

Trisomy

A condition where an individual has three copies of a chromosome instead of two.

Monosomy

A condition where an individual has only one copy of a chromosome instead of two.

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup.

Phenotype

Physical characteristics or appearance of a trait.

Allele

Alternate/different versions of a gene, normally represented by letters like B or b.

Homozygous

Identical alleles that make up a genotype (BB or bb).

Heterozygous

Two different alleles make up the genotype (Bb).

Dominant

An allele that is completely expressed in the phenotype.

Recessive

An allele that has no observable effect on the organism's appearance.

Monohybrid Cross

Crossing one trait at a time in a genetic problem.

Dihybrid Cross

Crossing two traits at once in a genetic problem.

Polygenic Cross

Type of inheritance where one trait is influenced by multiple genes.

Codominance

Both traits show in a heterozygous organism (ex: red and white spots).

Incomplete Dominance

Traits blend (red and white makes pink).

Complete Dominance

One allele completely masks the other.

Multiple Alleles

Multiple options at one locus on a chromosome (like blood typing).

Sex-Linkage

Traits found on the sex-chromosomes, X or Y.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual, represented by alleles.

Phenotype

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic scenario where neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blend of traits.

Blood Type A

Genotype can be AA or AO.

Blood Type B

Genotype can be BB or BO.

Blood Type AB

Genotype is AB.

Blood Type O

Genotype is OO.

Dominant Trait

A trait that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy of the allele is present.

Recessive Trait

A trait that is expressed in the phenotype only when two copies of the allele are present.

Heterozygous

An organism with two different alleles for a specific trait.

Homozygous

An organism with two identical alleles for a specific trait.

X-linked Recessive

A type of inheritance pattern where the gene causing the trait or disorder is located on the X chromosome.

Autosomal Dominant

A trait that is expressed if at least one dominant allele is present on an autosome.

Vestigial Structures

Structures that have lost most or all of their original function through the course of evolution.

Analogous Structures

Body parts in different species that have similar functions but evolved separately.

Homologous Structures

Structures that are similar in shape amongst related species, indicating a common ancestor.

Medium Neck

The phenotype resulting from the genotype Ll in turtles.

Tall Green Pea Plant

A plant with the genotype TtGg.

Short White Pea Plant

A plant with the genotype ttgg.

Gametes

Reproductive cells that carry half the genetic information of an organism.

Genotype Ratios

The ratio of different genotypes resulting from a genetic cross.

Phenotype Ratios

The ratio of different phenotypes resulting from a genetic cross.

Homologous structures

Structures of different species reveals similarities and differences that indicate shared ancestry or evolutionary relationships.

Analogous structures

Refers to the evolution in different lineages of structures that are similar or 'analogous', but that cannot be attributed to the existence of a common ancestor.

Industrial Revolution impact on moths

The industrial revolution and pollution caused the peppered moth population to change as it made darker colored moths blend in better as opposed to the white moths.

Common moth variation before Industrial Revolution

White because there was less pollution.

Common moth variation after Industrial Revolution

Dark because there was more pollution.

Four principles of natural selection

1. Variation 2. Inheritance 3. High rate of population growth 4. Differential survival and reproduction.

Comparative Anatomy

Similarities in development across organisms show how they may be related.

Biogeography

Changes in geographical features explain fossil species distribution.

Fossils

Show the gradual change of physical structures over time.

Comparative Embryology

Similarities in embryonic development across species indicate common ancestry.

Comparative Biochemistry

Sequencing the genetic material (genome) of different species shows how closely they are related.

Convergent Evolution

Different ancestor becomes more similar over time.

Divergent Evolution

Species are closely related (share genetic homology) but become more different over time.

Adaptive Radiation

When a single or small group of ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a large number of descendant species.

Coevolution

Cases where two (or more) species reciprocally affect each other's evolution.

Gradualism

Shows slow, steady, change within a population over time.

Punctuated Equilibrium

Rapid change in population of organisms followed by periods of slow or no change.

American Alligator's closest relative

Bald Eagle.

Common trait of Platypus, Red Kangaroo, and Western Gorilla

Lactation.

Food Web

All the interconnecting food chains in an ecosystem.

Food Chain

A model that shows one pathway of energy transfer in an ecosystem.

Autotroph/Producers

Organisms that can make their own chemical energy.

Consumers

Organisms that consume or eat other organisms to get chemical energy as they cannot make their own.

Heterotrophs/Consumers

Organisms that make their own food either using light energy for photosynthesis or chemical energy.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organisms and organic matter to obtain chemical energy.

Producers / Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that eat producers; examples include zebras and termites.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that eat primary consumers; examples include cheetahs and hyenas.

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that eat secondary consumers.

Mutualism

A relationship between two organisms of different species that benefits both individuals.

Parasitism

A relationship between two organisms of different species that benefits one individual but harms the other by living on or inside it.

Commensalism

A relationship between two organisms of different species that benefits one individual while the other is unaffected.

Producers

Organisms that produce energy for themselves and other organisms in an ecosystem.

Apex Predator

The top predator in an ecosystem, such as lions.

Niche

The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area.

Community

All the interacting populations in an ecosystem.

Abiotic Factors

The nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

Biotic Factors

The living parts of an ecosystem.

Ecosystem

The communities of organisms plus the non-living environment.

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, in all its forms, from genes and bacteria to entire ecosystems.

Species Richness

The number of different species represented in an ecological community.

Species Evenness

Describes the commonness or rarity of a species, requiring knowledge of the abundance of each species relative to others.

HIPPCO

An acronym representing major threats to biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate change, Overharvesting.

Habitat Loss

Loss of home/land is the single largest factor affecting biodiversity.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that outcompete native species.

Pollution

Toxic chemicals are released into the air and water, impacting ecosystems.

Population

More humans intensify all other factors affecting biodiversity.

Climate Change

Alters sea levels and temperature/precipitation, impacting available habitat.

Overuse/Overexploitation/Overconsumption

Excessive hunting or poaching, or removal of a species faster than they can be replaced.

Biomagnification

Toxic chemicals increase as you move up the food chain.

Pollutants

Includes SMOG, acid rain, heavy metals, and toxic gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.

Invasive Species

Species like honeysuckle have no natural predators and are hard to control.