Bio Lab and Identification Study Guides

Flashcards of key vocabulary and concepts from Biology Lab 7-11 study guides.

Genotype

An organism's specific genetic makeup, including all genes they possess.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism, such as physical traits.

Homozygous Dominant

Allele Pairs: AA, EE

Homozygous Recessive

Allele Pairs: ff

Heterozygous Allele Pairs

Allele Pairs: Bb, Dd, gG

Drosophila Melanogaster

The scientific name for a fruit-fly.

Autosomal

Genes and traits that are inherited the same way regardless of sex

Codominance

Both alleles are dominant. The phenotype for both alleles are present in the heterozygote.

Incomplete Dominance

Neither allele is dominant. The phenotype for both alleles are mixed/blended in the heterozygote.

Antigen

A molecule that can cause an immune system reaction. This reaction generally starts with an antibody that can bind (stick) to a specific antigen.

Law of Segregation

During the formation of gametes, the two alleles of a gene separate from each other, and each gamete receives only one allele; Offspring has an equal chance of inheriting either allele for a given trait from each parent

Law of Independent Assortment

During gamete formation (meiosis), the inheritance of one trait does not influence or affect the inheritance of another trait

F1 Generation

The first generation offspring of two parents.

Codominance

Both alleles are fully expressed (e.g., AB blood)

Incomplete dominance

Blending of traits (e.g., red + white flower = pink)

Normal human karyotype

Has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).

Helicase

Unzips the DNA helix by breaking hydrogen bonds.

Primase

Adds RNA primers to start replication.

DNA Polymerase

Adds new complementary DNA nucleotides.

Ligase

Joins Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand.

Taq Polymerase

A heat-resistant DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus.

Gel Electrophoresis

DNA fragments are loaded into a gel and an electric current pulls them through; Smaller fragments move faster and farther; Larger fragments move slower and remain closer to the wells.

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Variation exists in populations; More offspring are produced than can survive (struggle for existence); Individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more; Traits become more common in the population over generations (descent with modification).

Asexual (Parthenogenesis)

Triggered by favorable conditions (warm, abundant food). Fast cloning – good for population growth.

Sexual reproduction

Triggered by stressful conditions (cold, overcrowding, low food). Produces resting eggs that survive harsh environments.

Coccus

Round/spherical, e.g. Streptococcus

Bacillus

Rod-shaped, e.g. E. coli

Spirillum

Spiral/corkscrew, e.g. Spirillum volutans

Prokaryotes

Includes bacteria, no nucleus

Eukaryotes

Includes Protists, Fungi, etc., has nucleus

Autotrophs

Protists that can produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis. Look for the presence of chloroplasts, which appear green under a microscope.

Heterotrophs

Protists that consume other organisms for food. If the protist exhibits locomotion using cilia, flagella, or pseudopods, it is likely a heterotroph.

Mixotrophs

Protists capable of both photosynthesis and consuming other organisms. Euglena is a well-known example of a mixotroph.

Bryophytes

Nonvascular plants such as mosses; dominant generation is gametophyte (haploid)

Pterophytes

Vascular plants but without seeds or flowers such as ferns; dominant generation is sporophyte (diploid)

Gymnosperms

Vascular plants with seeds but without flowers such as pines; dominant generation is sporophyte (diploid)

Angiosperms

Vascular plants with seeds and flowers; dominant generation is sporophyte (diploid)

Hyphae

Threadlike filaments that make up the body (mycelium) of fungi.

Mycelium

A network of hyphae.

Spores

Reproductive cells dispersed by fungi.