Biology Exam Semester Two

asexual reproduction

asexual reproduction

Process by which a single parent reproduces by itself

sexual reproduction

A reproductive process that involves two parents that combine their genetic material to produce a new organism, which differs from both parents

binary fission

type of asexual reproduction in which an organism replicates its DNA and divides in half, producing two identical daughter cells (eg. bacteria)

vegetative reproduction

a form of asexual reproduction in which offspring grow from a part of a parent plant

Fragmentation

A new organism forms from a piece of an original (eg. starfish)

Budding

a new organism grows by mitosis and cell division on the body of its parent (eg. Hydra)

parthenogenesis

Asexual reproduction in which females produce offspring from unfertilized eggs. (eg. Komodo dragons)

spore formation

parent organism produces spores: single cells that can develop into new individuals by repeated mitosis (eg. mushrooms)

Cloning

A process in which a cell, cell product, or organism is copied from an original source.

Behavioural Adaptations

The way an organism acts in order to survive

Structural Adaptations

a physical feature of an organism's body having a specific function that contributes to the survival of the organism

physiological adaptation

a physical or chemical event that occurs within the body of an organism and enables survival

intraspecific competition

competition between members of the same species

interspecific competition

competition between members of different species

Commensalism

A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected

Symbiosis

relationship in which two species live closely together

Mutualism

A relationship between two species in which both species benefit

predator-prey relationship

Interaction between two organisms of different species in which one organism captures and feeds on parts or all of another organism.

keystone species

a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.

Producer

An organism that can make its own food.

Consumer

An organism that eats other organisms

herbivore

A consumer that eats only plants.

Omnivore

An animal that eats both plants and animals

Carnivore

A consumer that eats only animals.

Parasitism

A relationship in which one organism lives on or in a host and harms it.

trophic level

step in a food chain or food web

food web

a system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.

food chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

Allele

alternative forms of a gene for each variation of a trait of an organism

Chromosome

a single strand of DNA tightly coiled around special proteins

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait

Somatic cell

Any of the cells of a plant or animal except the reproductive cells.

Gamete

male and female sex cells, sperm and eggs

Autosomal chromosome

22 chromosome pairs that control traits NOT related to gender--same in females and males.

Sex chromosomes

The X and Y chromosomes that determine our physical sex characteristics

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait

Dominant

Describes a trait that covers over, or dominates, another form of that trait.

Recessive

trait of an organism that can be masked by the dominant form of a trait

Pedigree

A diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family.

Punnet Square

Diagram predicts outcomes genetic cross

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

Epigenetics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

polygenetic inheritance

two or more genes contribute to the phenotypic expression of a single characteristic

linked genes

Genes located on the same chromosome that tend to be inherited together in genetic crosses.

independent assortment

Independent segregation of genes during the formation of gametes

Meiosis

Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms

synapsis

Pairing of homologous chromosomes

crossing over

Process in which homologous chromosomes exchange portions of their chromatids during meiosis.

genetic diversity

the variety of genes within a given species

Human Genome Project

project whose goal is to map, sequence, and identify all of the genes in the human genome

Genome

all of an organism's genetic material

monohybrid cross

A cross between individuals that involves one pair of contrasting traits

dihybrid cross

Cross or mating between organisms involving two pairs of contrasting traits

Metaphase 1

Paired homologous chromosomes line up across the center of the cell

Anaphase 1

Homologous chromosomes separate

Telophase 1

2 daughter cells are formed, each daughter cell contains only one chromosome of the homologous pair.

Metaphase 2

Centromeres of chromosomes line up randomly at the equator of each cell.

Anaphase 2

sister chromatids separate

Telophase 2

Nuclear membrane reforms, cytoplasm divides, 4 daughter cells formed

Cytokinesis

division of the cytoplasm

Haploid

An organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes.

Diploid

2 sets of chromosomes

Bioethical issue

an ethical dilemma pertaining to biology that typically involves a decision- making process between two or more choices or options for action

Biopiracy

A term describing the ways that corporations from the developed world allegedly claim ownership of, free ride on, or otherwise take unfair advantage of, the genetic resources and traditional knowledge and technologies of developing countries

Bioprospecting

the search for plant and animal species from which medicinal drugs and other commercially valuable compounds can be obtained.

consequence based approach

ethical reasoning focuses on the results or outcomes of the action;

maximizes net benefits to all concerned

duty based approach

some acts are right or wrong because of the sorts of things they are, and people have a duty to act accordingly, regardless of the good or bad consequences that may be produced.

virtues-based approach

an approach to bioethics that emphasises the individual goodness of the agent, and promotes acting in accordance with the values of a 'moral' person, such as honesty and compassion

opinion

A personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

anecdote

short account of event

fact

A statement that can be proved.

public opinion

how people think or feel about particular things

intellectual property

A product of the intellect, such as an expressed idea or concept, that has commercial value.

peer reviewed

the evaluation of a professional colleague's work

Plagiarism

taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas

Stakeholders

any persons or groups who will be affected by an action or issue

integrity

the commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and communication of results, whether favourable or unfavourable, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge and understanding.

Justice

the moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims; that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action; and that there is fair distribution and access to the benefits of an action.

Benefience

the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a particular position or course of action.

Non-maleficence

involves avoiding the causations of harm. However, as positions or courses of actions in scientific research may involve some degree of harm, the concept of non-maleficence implies that the harm resulting from any position or course of action should not be disproportionate to the benefits from any position or course of action.

Respect

involves consideration of the extent to which living things have an intrinsic value and/or instrumental value; giving due regard to the welfare, liberty and autonomy, beliefs, perceptions, customs and cultural heritage of both the individual and the collective; consideration of the capacity of living things to make their own decisions; and when living things have diminished capacity to make their own decisions ensuring that they are empowered where possible and protected as necessary.