Genetics and Evolution

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to genetics and evolution as discussed in the lecture.

Gene

Segments in the DNA which are passed on from one generation to the next and determine which traits will appear in the offspring.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living things.

Chromosomes

Structures composed of DNA and proteins found in the nuclei of cells that carry genetic information.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, which carries the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis.

Proteins

Molecules made up of amino acids that perform various functions in the body, including serving as enzymes and structural components.

Transcription

The process by which messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized from a DNA template.

Translation

The process by which proteins are synthesized from the information contained in mRNA.

Codon

A nucleotide triplet in mRNA that specifies a particular amino acid.

Mutation

A change in the order of bases in an organism's DNA that can lead to variations in traits.

Selective Breeding

The process of choosing specific organisms with desirable traits for reproduction.

Gene Expression

The use of genetic information to make proteins, involving transcription and translation.

Recombinant DNA Technology

A technique that combines DNA from different organisms to produce new genetic combinations.

Genetic Engineering

The deliberate modification of an organism's genome using biotechnology.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that has been genetically modified to contain a gene from another species.

Environmental Hazards

Risks posed to the environment as a result of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Homologous Structures

Body parts that share a common ancestry but serve different functions in different species.

Analogous Structures

Structures that serve the same function in different species but do not share a common ancestry.

Vestigial Structures

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution.

Cladistics

A method of classifying organisms based on common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.