Anthropology Exam 1 - Pasadena City College

ANTH 001 - PCC

Alleles

Variations of individual genes that determine how a gene physically presents itself.

Amino Acids

Organic molecules serving as the building blocks of proteins.

Chromosomes

Molecules of proteins and DNA which carry genetic information.

Crossing Over

Homologous or matching chromosomes exchanging information during meiosis.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Stores all genetics and provides the general code for how we form.

Dominant Allele

The allele that holds more representative power than a recessive allele. Represented with a capital letter. Will almost always show in phenotype over recessive alleles.

Recessive Allele

An allele which only represents itself when two copies of the same allele are present.

Double Helix

The shape of DNA. Twisted ladder shape.

Evolution

Genetic change in a species over generations of inheritance.

Founder Effect

When a reproducing population is very small, it allows for a loss of genetic variation.

Gametes

Sex Cells. Fuse with other gametes during reproduction.

Genes

Physical units of heredity stored in DNA.

Gene Flow

Transfer of genetic material from one population of a species to another population of the same species.

Gene Pool

Collection of all genes within all populations of a species.

Genetic Drift

The random change in frequency of alleles within a population. Must be due to chance.

Heterozygous

The combination of two different alleles.

Homozygous

The combination of two of the same alleles.

Macroevolution

Large scale changes which occur above individual species over large time periods.

Microevolution

Evolution within a species or population within a relatively short time period.

Meiosis

Meiosis creates sex cells through cell division. Creates 4 daughter cells.

Mitosis

Mitosis helps with boody growth and repair. Creates 2 daughter cells.

Mutation

Natural Selection

Non-Random Mate Selection

Nucleotide

Genotype

The actual genetic makeup of the organism.

Phenotype

The physical display of the genetic makeup of an organism.

Population

Organisms of the same species living in the same region.

Proteins

Chains of amino acids. Serve as the “workhorse of cells”

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid. Single stranded, contains Uracil rather than Thymine.

Sexual Selection

When genetic traits are passed down because they aid reproduction.

Speciation

When a single population splits into two distinct species.

Species

A group of organisms which can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Punctuated Equilibrium

Evolution occurs in spurts instead of following the slow and steady path that darwin suggested.