SCIC 202 (Life Sciences) Study Guide - Module 3, part 1 and 2- Fall 2024

Chromosomes are composed of __________.

Chromatin, a combination of DNA and protein.

Who were the researchers that showed that DNA is the genetic material?

Hershey and Chase.

The monomers of DNA are __________.

Nucleotides.

Each nucleotide has three parts: __________.

Phosphate group, nitrous base, and sugar.

What do we call the polymers built from nucleotides?

Polynucleotides.

What forms the backbone of a DNA strand?

Sugar phosphate.

The base pairing rules state that T pairs with ___ and C pairs with ___.

A; G.

Who discovered the base pairing rules and described DNA as a double helix?

Watson and Crick.

What enzyme builds a new strand of DNA during replication?

DNA Polymerase.

According to Beadle and Tatum, DNA is the code for __________.

Proteins.

What is the copying process of DNA into RNA called?

Transcription.

What type of RNA carries the genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosomes?

Messenger RNA (mRNA).

What is any change in the genetic code called?

Mutation.

What is a base substitution mutation?

When one base is replaced by another.

What is the definition of a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

An organism that has had its DNA altered in a way that does not occur naturally.

What are plasmids?

Small circles of DNA found in some bacteria.

What are pluripotent stem cells?

Cells that can give rise to specialized cells.

What embryonic stage of development is the source of human embryonic stem cells?

Human blastula.

What does PCR stand for?

Polymerase Chain Reaction.

What is the purpose of PCR?

To make multiple copies of a DNA segment.

What is the definition of evolution?

Gradual change in a population over time.

What are the five categories of evidence supporting evolution?

Fossil record, biogeography, comparative anatomy, comparative embryology, molecular biology.

What is the definition of natural selection?

Individuals who can survive and reproduce in a particular environment pass their genes to the next generation.

What is the founder effect?

Reduced variation in a population due to its founding by a few individuals.

What is the biological species concept?

A concept that defines species based on their potential to breed and produce fertile offspring.

What is sympatric speciation?

The formation of a new species without geographic barriers.

What genes control development in evolution?

Homeotic genes.