Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
genotype
An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.
phenotype
An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.
Homozygous
An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait (BB or bb)
Heterozygous
An organism that has two different alleles for a trait (Bb or GF)
Recessive
An allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present
Dominant
Describes a trait that covers over, or dominates, another form of that trait.
Codominance
A condition in which BOTH alleles for a gene are fully expressed (ex: blood types; speckled black and white chickens)
Incomplete Dominance
Situation in which one allele is not completely dominant over another allele (ex: snap dragons -- blend/mix of traits)
sex-linked traits
Traits controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes; Y chromosome does not carry an allele for the trait (ex: hemaphelia; color-blindness)
Pedigree
A chart or "family tree" that tracks which members of a family have a particular trait
How do you know if the pedigree is recessive?
In a recessive pedigree it is possible for the children to have the expressed trait while neither parent have it. This means both parents are carriers (heterozygous) and the trait is recessive.
Helicase
An enzyme that unzips the double helix of DNA at the replication forks during DNA replication
When does DNA replicate?
During S-Phase of Interphase
DNA polymerase
Enzyme involved in DNA replication that joins individual nucleotides to produce a DNA molecule ("the DNA builder")
RNA polymerase
Enzyme similar to DNA polymerase that binds to DNA and separates the DNA strands during transcription; it then joins individual nucleotides to produce the new RNA molecule ("the RNA builder")
semi-conservative replication
Each half of an original DNA molecule serves as a template for a new strand, and the two new DNA molecules each have one old and one new strand.
recombinant DNA
DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources (ex. insulin gene from humans combined with DNA of bacteria)
Transcription
process of making an mRNA molecule from a DNA template; Step 1 of protein synthesis
Translation
Process by which mRNA is decoded (translated) and a protein is produced; Step 2 of protein synthesis
Location of transcription
nucleus
location of translation
ribosome in the cytoplasm or rough ER
other names for protein synthesis
gene expression; central dogma
Codon
three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for a single amino acid
Anti-codon
group of three bases on a tRNA molecule that are complementary to an mRNA codon
tRNA
transfer RNA; type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome
mRNA
messenger RNA; type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome
rRNA
ribosomal RNA; type of RNA that makes up part of the ribosome
Gene mutation
a change in the DNA sequence of a gene
Substitution
A mutation in which a nucleotide in DNA is replaced with a different nucleotide
deletion mutation
a mutation in which a nucleotide is removed from a DNA sequence on a gene; causes a frameshift
insertion mutation
a mutation in which a nucleotide is added to a DNA sequence on a gene; causes a frameshift
Frameshift
mutation that shifts the "reading" frame of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide
Evolution
change in the gene pool of a population over time
natural selection
A mechanism of evolution in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits.
Fitness
how well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment
Lamark
before Darwin; inheritance of acquired characteristics; thoughts traits were passed on based on use/disuse; he was WRONG
Darwin
natural selection and descent with modification
Microevolution
evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period.
Macroevolution
large-scale evolutionary changes that take place over long periods of time; study of common ancestry and the tree of life
divergent evolution
when two or more species sharing a common ancestor become different over time (diverge); homologous structures
convergent evolution
when two or more species share common characteristics but are unrelated and do not have common ancestor for that trait; analogous structures
homologous structures
same structure but different function (arm bones); common ancestry for the trait; divergent evolution
analogous structures
different structure but same function (wings); no common ancestry for the trait; convergent evolution
Coevolution
Process by which two species evolve in response to changes in each other (bee & flower)
punctuated equilibrium
Pattern of evolution in which long stable periods are interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change
Embryological Evidence
Looking at the embryo in early stages of development: 1st stages all look similar which indicates a common ancestor
Biochemical Evidence
using DNA or amino acid sequences of species to determine relatedness
vestigial structures
A structure that is present in an organism but no longer serves its original purpose; gives clues about evolutionary past; ex: whale with a hip bone
Mendle
Father of genetics
Law of Segregation
two alleles will separate during gamete formation in meiosis
Law of Dominance
a dominant allele will express itself over a recessive allele
Law of Independent Assortment
the inheritance of one trait has no effect on the inheritance of another
monohybrid cross
a cross in which only one characteristic is tracked
dihybrid cross
a cross in which the inheritance of two characteristics are tracked
blood typing genotypes
AA/AO or BB/BO or AB or OO
multiple alleles
three or more forms of a gene that code for a single trait (ex: blood typing -- A/B/O alleles)
3 characteristics of DNA
deoxyribose sugar; double stranded; A/T & C/G
3 characteristics of RNA
ribose sugar; single stranded; A/U & C/G
transgenic organism
made when genes from one type of organism are inserted into the genome of a different organism
GMO (genetically modified organism)
organisms that either have genes added OR have genes deleted.
gene therapy
involves either replacing mutated genes or inactivating them completely
genetic screening
analyzes the genome of a person or an unborn baby to detect certain disorders
Cloning
Making a genetically identical copy of DNA or of an organism.
designer babies
babies whose genetic characteristics are artificially created