Biology Lecture on Genetics and Cell Division

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from a biology lecture on genetics, cell division, and inheritance.

Karyotype

A display of all the chromosomes in an organism.

Haploid

A cell that contains a single set of chromosomes, represented by 'n'.

Diploid

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, represented by '2n'.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces four haploid cells from one diploid cell.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces two identical diploid cells.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA and carry genetic information.

Gametes

Reproductive cells that have haploid number of chromosomes.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis.

Phenotype

The physical appearance or observable characteristics of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism in terms of alleles.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus.

Homologous Chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes containing the same gene sequences, one inherited from each parent.

Zygote

A fertilized egg that is the result of sperm and egg fusion.

Independent Assortment

The principle that genes for different traits segregate independently from one another in meiosis.

Cancer

A disease caused by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells.

Cell Cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and replication.

Cell Division

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm of a parent cell into two daughter cells.

Dominant Allele

An allele that masks the expression of another allele when both are present.

Recessive Allele

An allele that is only expressed when two recessive alleles are present.

Gonadotropins

Hormones that stimulate the function of gonads (testes and ovaries).

Density-dependent inhibition

A process that stops cells from dividing when they become crowded.

Anchorage Dependence

The requirement that a cell must be attached to a substrate to divide.

Mendelian Inheritance

Inheritance patterns that follow Mendel's laws regarding dominant and recessive traits.

True Breeding

Organisms that, when reproducing, only produce offspring with a specific phenotype.

Dichotomous Trait

A trait that can take on one of two distinct forms.

Sister Chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome connected by a centromere.

T cells

A type of lymphocyte that plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity.

Chiasmata

The points at which two homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material during meiosis.

Synapsis

The pairing of two homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Prophase

The first stage of cell division where chromosomes become visible.

Metaphase

The stage of cell division where chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage of cell division where sister chromatids are separated and pulled to opposite sides.

Telophase

The stage of cell division where the nuclear membrane re-forms around each set of chromosomes.

Environmental Cues

External factors like temperature and light that impact cellular processes.