Flashcards Unit 1 - Same but Different

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Gene

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

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Trait

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

Nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA

Cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

nuclear membrane

controls what goes in and out of the nucleus

inherit

to receive genes from a parent

parent cell

original cell before cell division

daughter cell

The cells produced during cell division.

Mitosis

cell division in which the nucleus divides into 2 new cells containing the same number of chromosomes

Meiosis

a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes

Gametes

sex cells including sperm and egg

Haploid cell

An organism or cell having only half the chromosomes.

diploid cell

A cell containing two a complete set of chromosomes

cell

The basic building block of all living things

sexual reproduction

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

asexual reproduction

Process by which a single parent reproduces by itself

DNA replication

The process in which DNA makes a duplicate copy of itself. The first step of both mitosis and meiosis.

N-bases

adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T)

DNA backbone

made of alternating sugar and phosphate bonds

double helix

Shape of DNA

Nucleotide

A building block of DNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base (N-base)

Protein

An substance made from a folded chain of amino acids.

Amino acid

Building blocks of protein

protein synthesis

Forming proteins based on information in DNA and carried out by RNA

Transcription

the process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA

Translation

Process by which mRNA is decoded in the ribosome and a protein is formed

mRNA

a single-stranded RNA molecule that encodes the information to make a protein

Codon

A specific sequence of 3 bases on a strand of DNA or RNA that provides genetic code information for a particular amino acid

Genetics

The scientific study of heredity

genetically modified

An organism whose genetic material has been altered through some genetic engineering technology or technique.

organelle

specialized structure that performs important cellular functions within a eukaryotic cell

disorder

genetic condition

sufferer

someone who suffers, especially from a particular genetic disorder

Carrier

A person whose genotype includes a gene for a disorder that is not expressed in the phenotype.

dominant gene

A gene that is expressed in the offspring whenever it is present

recessive gene

Gene that is hidden when the dominant gene is present

sex-linked traits

Traits controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes, usually X.