chapter 4 vocab

These flashcards include key vocabulary and definitions related to cell biology and reproduction.

Nucleus

Organelle that controls all the activities of a cell and contains heredity material made of proteins and DNA.

Mitosis

Reproductive process that produces four haploid sex cells from one diploid cell.

Chromosome

Structure in a cell’s nucleus that contains heredity material.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction such as fission, budding, and regeneration, where a new organism is produced from one organism.

Sexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction in which two sex cells, usually an egg and a sperm, join to form a zygote.

Sperm

Haploid sex cell formed in the male reproductive organs.

Egg

Haploid sex cell formed in the female reproductive organs.

Fertilization

The joining of a sperm and egg during sexual reproduction.

Zygote

New diploid cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg.

Diploid

Cell whose similar chromosomes occur in pairs.

Haploid

Cell that has half the number of chromosomes compared to body cells.

Meiosis

Reproductive process that produces four haploid sex cells from one diploid cell.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material of all organisms.

Gene

Section of DNA on a chromosome that contains instructions for making specific proteins.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; a type of nucleic acid that carries codes for making proteins from the nucleus to the ribosomes.

Mutation

Permanent change in a gene or a chromosome of a cell; may be beneficial, harmful, or have little effect.

Heredity

The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

Organism

Any living thing that uses energy, is made of cells, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosome pairs, one from each parent, that are similar in shape, size, and genetic content.