BIO MOD5 GLOSSARY

Allele Frequency

How common an allele is in a population

Asexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving one parent that produces genetically identical offspring (clones)

Autosomal Inheritance

Inheritance of genes located on non-sex chromosomes.

Binary Fission

A form of asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms (e.g., bacteria, protists) where the cell divides into two genetically identical cells

Birth

The process by which a fully developed fetus is delivered from the uterus

Budding

Asexual reproduction where a new organism grows from a bud on the parent organism

Co-dominance

A form of inheritance where both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid.

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific pairing of DNA bases. A-T G-C

Conservation Genetics

The use of genetic methods to preserve species diversity and manage wildlife populations

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, increasing genetic variation

DNA Profiling

Identifying individuals based on unique patterns in their DNA

DNA Replication

The process of making an identical copy of DNA using the original strand as a template

DNA Sequencing

Determining the exact sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule

External Fertilisation

Fertilisation that occurs outside the body, usually in aquatic environments

Fertilisation

The fusion of a male and female gamete to form a zygote

Fertilisation (genetic context)

Restores diploid number and combines genetic material from two parents

Gene Expression

The process by which the information in a gene is used to produce a functional product (protein)

Gene Pool

The total set of genes and alleles in a population.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies in small populations.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosome pairs (one from each parent) that have the same genes but may carry different alleles.

Hormonal Control

The regulation of reproductive processes by hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin.

Human Genome Project

An international scientific research project to map all the genes in the human genome.

Implantation

The process by which a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine wall in mammals.

Incomplete Dominance

A form of inheritance where the heterozygote has an intermediate phenotype.

Inheritance Patterns

Trends observed in the transmission of genes from parents to offspring.

Internal Fertilisation

Fertilisation that occurs inside the body of the organism; common in terrestrial animals.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes (haploid), introducing genetic variation.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells used for growth and repair.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

Carries genetic code from the DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Multiple Alleles

More than two possible alleles exist for a gene in the population.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that may lead to variation.

Natural Selection

Differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of DNA and RNA, each containing a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

Pedigree

A chart showing inheritance patterns in a family.

Phenotype

The observable traits of an organism.

Phenotypic Expression

The observable traits of an organism as a result of the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Polypeptide

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; forms proteins.

Population Genetics

The study of how genetic composition of populations changes over time.

Pregnancy

The period of development of an embryo/fetus in the uterus.

Protein Function

Proteins perform structural, enzymatic, regulatory, and transport functions in organisms.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross.

Sex-linked Inheritance

Inheritance of genes located on sex chromosomes, usually the X chromosome.

Sexual Reproduction

Reproduction involving the fusion of gametes from two parents, resulting in genetically varied offspring.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)

A variation in a single nucleotide that occurs at a specific position in the genome.

Spores

Reproductive cells produced by fungi (and some plants), capable of developing into a new organism without fusion.

Transcription

The process where DNA is used to make messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus.

Translation

The process where ribosomes read mRNA and assemble amino acids into polypeptides using transfer RNA (tRNA).

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

Transfers specific amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

Watson-Crick Model

The double-helix structure of DNA with complementary base pairing

pollination

act of transferring pollen grains from male anther of a flower to the female stigma, process carried out by insects, small animals, wind

cross pollination

transfer of pollen between flowers on different plants, ensuring greater variation, but relies on outside agents 

self-pollination

pollen from anther lands on stigma of the same flower or stigma of another flower on the same plant and requires less energy 

protist

single-celled organism