Genetics and Plant Biology Terminology

These flashcards cover essential terminology related to genetics and plant biology, including definitions of terms, principles of inheritance, and concepts of plant anatomy.

What is a Dominant allele?

An allele that is expressed over the other alleles present.

What is the function of the Nucleus in the immature male gametophyte?

It later divides by mitosis to produce two sperm cells.

What are Genes?

Hereditary units consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism.

What does Genotype refer to?

The genetic composition of an organism, including chromosomes of the nucleus and the DNA in chloroplasts and mitochondria.

What is Heritability?

Measurement of a quantitative trait that passes from parent to offspring.

What defines a Heterozygote?

A plant with two different alleles of a particular gene.

What is a Homozygote?

A plant with identical alleles of a particular gene.

What is the Integument in plant biology?

Cells that form the ovary wall.

What is Linkage in genetics?

When two genes are on the same chromosome.

What is a Locus?

Location on a chromosome where a particular gene is found.

What is Mendel's First Law?

The law of segregation, stating that each member of the allelic pair separates during gamete formation.

What is Mendel's Second Law?

The law of independent assortment, stating that the segregation of alleles of one allelic pair is independent of the segregation of alleles of another allelic pair.

What is a Punnett square?

A simple database used to visualize the types of zygotes and their expected frequency that form from male and female gametes.

What are Qualitative differences?

Large differences that can easily be seen or measured in qualitative terms; e.g., fruit color.

What are Quantitative differences?

Small differences that are measured numerically, e.g., yield in kg/ha.

What is a Recessive allele?

Allele(s) that are not expressed if a dominant allele is present.

What is Stratification in plant biology?

Process used to break a physiological dormancy, such as embryonic or endo/eco-dormancies.

What are Triglycerides?

Another name for lipids.

What are Unsaturated fatty acids?

Fatty acids that have one or more double bonds between one or more carbon atoms in the chain.

What is Apomixis?

A form of clonal reproduction where vegetative cells in the flower develop into zygotes to form seeds.

What are Carbohydrates?

One of the three major types of nutrients found in seeds; provide energy in the form of starch and sugar.

What is Dormant/dormancy?

Term used when seeds are alive and don't germinate when provided with favorable conditions.

What is Double fertilization?

Where one haploid male sperm cell fuses with the female haploid egg cell to form the diploid zygote.

What is the Endosperm?

Tissue that results from the second haploid male sperm cell fusing with two egg cells during fertilization.

What is the Pericarp?

Ripened ovary wall, made up of three parts: exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp.

What is the Stigma in flower anatomy?

Receptive apex of the carpel of a flower, on which pollen is deposited.

What is the Style in flower anatomy?

Part of the carpel that elevates the stigma for reception of pollen.