Heredity and Cell Division Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from the heredity lecture transcript, covering cellular structures, genetics, cell division types, chromosomal disorders, nucleic acids, and classical inheritance.

Cell

An essential and functional unit of life responsible to carry out biological processes and capable of independent reproduction.

Nucleus

Central organelle responsible to carry out all the essential functions of a cell.

Chromosome

Condensed structure composed of DNA and protein.

Histone Protein

Structure through which DNA is stored inside a chromosome.

Gene

The specific unit in DNA where genetic information is stored.

Genetics

The study of genes, DNA, and how traits are inherited from generation to generation.

Chromatid

A structure composed of DNA combined with Histone protein.

Cell Division

The process where a matured cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Karyokinesis

The division of the nucleus of a cell.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm of a cell.

Direct Cell Division (Amitosis)

Type of cell division where karyokinesis and cytokinesis occur simultaneously, such as binary fission in Amoeba.

Indirect Cell Division

Type of cell division where karyokinesis occurs first, followed by cytokinesis.

Mitosis

Also called somatic or equational cell division, a process coined by Walther Fleming where a diploid cell divides to produce two identical diploid daughter cells.

Somatic Cells

Non-reproductive body cells containing $23$ pairs or $46$ total chromosomes in humans.

Diploid Cell

A cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes ($2n$).

Haploid Cell

A cell containing a single set of chromosomes ($n$), such as a gamete or reproductive cell.

G1 Phase (Growth 1 Phase)

The phase of interphase responsible for cell growth.

S Phase (Synthesis Phase)

The stage of interphase where DNA replication takes place.

G2 Phase (Growth 2 Phase)

The interphase stage where the cell prepares for mitosis.

Prophase (Mitosis)

The stage of mitotic karyokinesis where chromatin threads start to become shorter and thicker.

Metaphase (Mitosis)

The stage of mitotic karyokinesis where chromatin threads align in a straight line at the center of the cell.

Anaphase (Mitosis)

The stage of mitotic karyokinesis where chromosomes separate into chromatin and move toward opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase (Mitosis)

The final stage of mitotic karyokinesis where two diploid daughter nuclei begin to form.

Cleavage Method (Constriction Method)

Animal cell cytokinesis method where a furrow develops and the cell membrane constricts until fully divided.

Cell-Plate Method

Plant cell cytokinesis method where cell plates formed by Golgi vesicles at the equatorial region form a new cell wall.

Meiosis

Reductional cell division process coined by J.B Farmer and J.E Moore where a diploid mother cell divides into four non-identical haploid daughter cells.

Germ Cells

Specialized cells that give rise to gametes.

Crossing Over

The process during meiosis where non-sister chromatids combine different types of genes in different proportions, producing genetic variation.

Meiocytes

Cells that undergo meiosis cell division, including oocytes and spermatocytes.

Down's Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder characterized by Trisomy 21.

Edward's Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder characterized by Trisomy 18.

Palau's Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder characterized by Trisomy 13.

Turner's Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder characterized by Monosomy X.

Klinefelter's Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder in males characterized by two X chromosomes.

Triple X Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder in females (Super Females) characterized by three X chromosomes.

XYY Syndrome

A chromosomal disorder in males characterized by two Y chromosomes.

Nucleic Acids

Primary chemical compounds discovered by Friedrich Miescher that carry genetic information.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Double-stranded double helical nucleic acid composed of nitrogenous bases, pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Nucleotide

A molecular chain consisting of a nitrogenous base, pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Nucleoside

A molecular chain consisting of a nitrogenous base and pentose sugar.

Ribose Sugar

A 5-carbon pentose sugar that contains oxygen.

Deoxyribose Sugar

A 5-carbon pentose sugar that does not contain oxygen.

Purines

Double-ring nitrogenous base structures including Guanine and Adenine.

Pyrimidines

Single-ring nitrogenous base structures including Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil.

Transcription

The biological process of forming RNA from DNA.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

Single-stranded nucleic acid composed of a nitrogenous base, ribose sugar, and phosphate group that regulates synthesis functions.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Type of RNA that copies genetic messages from DNA using complementary base pairing and carries them to the ribosome.

Translation

The process of transforming the messages carried by mRNA into proteins.

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Type of RNA responsible for transferring amino acids during translation.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

Type of RNA located in ribosomes that provides shelter to amino acids carried by tRNA.

Heredity

The process of passing physical or mental traits from parents to offspring.

Hereditary Characters

Characteristics successfully transferred from one generation to the next.

Acquired Character

A non-heritable character achieved or developed by an organism later in life in response to its environment.

Gregor Johann Mendel

Scientist who proposed the Law of Inheritance based on experiments studying $7$ pairs of contrasting characters in pea plants (Pisum sativum).