Meiosis and Heredity

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to meiosis, heredity, and genetics.

Heredity

The transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

Variation

Differences in appearance that offspring show from their parents and siblings.

Genetics

The scientific study of heredity and variation.

Gametes

Reproductive cells, including sperm and eggs, that contain half the number of chromosomes.

Diploid

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, typically represented as 2n.

Haploid

A cell that contains one set of chromosomes, typically represented as n.

Karyotype

An ordered display of the pairs of chromosomes from a cell.

Homologous Chromosomes

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

Independent assortment

The random orientation of homologous chromosomes during metaphase I of meiosis.

Crossing over

A process during prophase I where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material.

Zygote

The fertilized egg that is diploid, formed when sperm and egg unite.

Reduction division

Another term for meiosis, emphasizing the halving of chromosome number.

Sister chromatids

Identical copies of a chromosome, connected at the centromere, created during DNA replication.

Chiasma

The point at which two homologous non-sister chromatids exchange genetic material during crossing over.

Autosomes

The 22 pairs of chromosomes that do not determine sex.

Sex Chromosomes

The pair of chromosomes (XX or XY) that determine the sex of an individual.

Fertilization

The process of fusion of sperm and egg leading to the formation of a zygote.