LS D Unit 2 Evolution Vocabulary- Lesson 1 Genetic Change and Traits

Probability

likelihood that a particular event will occur/ the mathematical chance of an event occurring

Traits

a structural (physical) feature in an organism.

[Example: feathers, scales, color, etc.] or an observable physical behavior that results from the combination of genes and environment [Example an opossum playing dead]

DNA

The material that holds genes. It is the building block of the human body. It genetic information that determines the traits an organism inherits and the instructions for the growth, development, and functioning of an organism. It is made of two linked strands that wind around each other to resemble a twisted ladder — a shape known as a double helix

Chromosomes

Structures found in the center (nucleus) of cells that carry long pieces of DNA.

Nucleotides

The basic building block of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) side or strand of DNA is a chain of building blocks

adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T)

two strands connect, and A pairs with T while G pairs with C.

Base

one part of a nucleotide: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C)

Genes

a specific segment of DNA that provides instructions for an inherited trait

Protein

an important molecule that is needed to build and repair body structures and to control processes in the body

Amino acids

the smaller molecules or the building blocks that makeup proteins

a. they make up proteins

b. there are about 20 different kinds

Triplets

a specific sequence of 3 bases on gene codes for a specific amino acid

Hormones

delivers messages to cells by fitting into specific locations on target cells; type of protein

Enzymes

proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body

Mutation

a change in the base pair sequence of a gene

b. mostly occurs when a cell copies its DNA for cell division

c. it can add, remove, or substitute base pairs

Mutagens

substances that cause genetic mutations

Adaptations

traits that help organisms survive and reproduce in their current environment

Phenotype

observable traits of an organism