NCEA level 1 bio

DNA

A macromolecule that contains all of the genetic information for an organism. DeoxyriboNucleic Acid

Mitosis

Cell replication used for body repairs

Meiosis

Cell replication used to produce gametes that have different DNA. Produces genetically different cells due to 'Crossing Over'c

Genes

A specific part of the DNA

Allele

A variation of a gene

Proteins

long chain of amino acids

Dominant allele

An allele that will always be expressed if in the genotype. Masks recessive allele

Recessive Allele

An allele that will be masked if dominant allele is present in genotype. Recessive allele only observed if both alleles are recessive (homozygous recessive)

Mutations

A permanent change in the DNA from mutagens.

Genetic variation

The variety of alleles in a species or population.

Sources of Variation

Mutation

Evolution

the gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time. It happens because of genetic variation

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process where individuals with traits that help them survive in their environment are more likely to survive

Over time

helpful traits become more common in the population.

Nucleotide

A molecule consisting of a base

Chromosome

Condensed form of DNA

Nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

Trait

A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes.

Genetic code

the set of rules used by living cells to translate genetic information from DNA or RNA sequences into proteins.

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism

Homologous Chromosome

Chromosomes that have the same sequence of genes and the same structure

Gene Expression

the process by which the information in a gene is used to create a functional product

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance

Independent Assortment

inheritance of one trait does not influence the inheritance of another.

Crossing Over

the exchange of genes between homologous chromosomes

Fertilisation

Fusing of a male gamete with a female gamete.

Mutagen

A chemical or physical agent that interacts with DNA and causes a mutation.

Heritable

Traits that can be passed on to offspring

Non-Heritable

Describe the traits that cannot be transmitted to offspring.

Sexual Reproduction

A reproductive process that involves two parents that combine their genetic material to produce a new organism

Gamete

sex cell

Somatic

body cell

Asexual Reproduction

A reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent.

Pure Breeding

Individuals that are homozygous that will always produce the same offspring when crossed together

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait

Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

Migration

movement of a population of organisms from one place to another and back again

Non-Random Mating

a mating system where individuals choose their mates based on specific genotypes or phenotypes

Population Dynamics

the study of how population sizes and compositions change over time due to factors like births

Selection Pressure

Environmental factors influencing survival and reproduction.

Fitness

Ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment

Adaptation

feature or trait that improves organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment

Biodiversity

the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Population Bottleneck

a type of genetic drift in which population size is sharply reduced due to some catastrophic event

Founder Effect

Genetic drift that occurs when a few individuals migrate from a larger population and form a new population whose gene pool composition is not reflective of that of the original population. Likely to not be diverse

Genetic Tracking

A method for determining the inheritance of a particular gene in a family.

DNA sequencing

Determining the exact order of the base pairs in a segment of DNA.

Genetic Disorder

An abnormal condition that a person inherits through genes or chromosomes

Genetic Screening

process of testing DNA to determine the chance a person has

DNA profiling

A procedure that analyzes DNA fragments to determine whether they come from a specific individual.

DNA barcoding

a taxonomic method that uses a short genetic marker in an organism's DNA to identify it as belonging to a particular species

eDNA

eDNA is DNA detected in environmental samples that is used to confirm the presence of the species that produced it.

Phylogenetic tree

A branching diagram that represents a hypothesis about the evolutionary history of a group of organisms.

Pedigree Chart

A chart which shows several generations of related families and how traits are passed down through the offspring.

Punnett square

A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross

Genetic Marker

a gene or short sequence of DNA used to identify a chromosome or to locate other genes on a genetic map.