BIS2B - Midterm 2

genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism, determining specific traits and characteristics.

phenotype

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by genotype.

mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, crucial for growth and repair in multicellular organisms.

meiosis

The process of cell division that results in four genetically distinct gametes, each with half the chromosome number of the parent cell, crucial for sexual reproduction.

type specimen

A single physical example of an organism used to describe and define a species, the most common/general

catatrophism

believed by Cuvier, explains changes of fossils by catastrophic events in Earth's history, leading to mass extinctions followed by new species appearing.

artificial selection

The process by which humans selectively breed organisms for specific traits, influencing the genetic makeup of future generations.

relative fitness

number of one’s offspring that survive to reproduce themselves in comparison to the average number for the population

agent of selection

the factor that determines the difference in relative fitness among individuals in a population, influencing which traits are favored in the process of natural selection.

mutations

changes in the chemical structure of a base, which can lead to alterations in the genetic code and potentially affect an organism's traits.

alleles

different forms of a gene, caused by mutation that can change the phenotype of a gene

homologous chromosomes

a pair of chromosomes that carry the same genes

diploid cell

a cell that has two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent (2N)

haploid

a cell that has one complete set of chromosomes, typically found in gametes. (1N)

zygote

fertilized egg

test cross

mating an organism of an unknown genotype to a homozygous recessive individual, can find out through it’s offspring what its genotype is

gamete

a reproductive cell that carries one copy of each chromosome