Untitled Flashcards Set

Central Dogma

The process by which genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to Protein.

Nucleotide

The monomers of DNA composed of a phosphate group, a deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Base Pairing Rules

Adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine.

Semi-conservative Replication

Method of DNA replication where each new double helix consists of one old and one new strand.

Transcription

The process of copying a gene from DNA to RNA.

Translation

The process of reading mRNA codons and building a protein.

Mutation

Any change in the genetic code, can be a base substitution, deletion, or insertion.

GMO

Genetically Modified Organism, whose genome has been altered in a way that doesn't occur naturally.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been artificially manipulated to combine genes from different organisms.

Plasmid

A small circular piece of DNA used to transfer genetic material in bacteria.

Differentiated Cells

Cells that have developed into a specific type and cannot turn into other types of cells.

Totipotent Stem Cells

Stem cells that can form any cell in the body, including extra-embryonic tissues.

CRISPR/Cas9

A gene editing technology that allows for the modification of DNA in living organisms.

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction, a method used to amplify specific DNA segments.

Evolution

The change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

Founder Effect

Reduced variation in a population that arises when it is started by a few individuals.

Gene Flow

The movement of individuals into and out of populations leading to changes in allele frequencies.

Sexual Selection

A form of natural selection where one gender selects mates based on specific characteristics.

Phylogenetic Species Concept

A species concept that uses DNA similarities to define species.

Allopatric Speciation

Formation of new species due to geographical barriers separating populations.

Sympatric Speciation

Formation of new species without geographical separation, often due to factors like polyploidy.

Evo-devo

The study of evolution that involves studying how organisms are formed, including the role of homeotic genes.