Cell part 2 vocabulary

General Terms

1. Allele: A variant form of a gene found at a specific location on a chromosome.

2. Cancer: A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

3. Chromosome: A thread-like structure made of DNA and proteins, containing genetic information.

4. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of organisms.

5. Gene: A segment of DNA that encodes for a specific protein or function.

Cellular and Genetic Processes

6. Cell cycle: The series of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides.

7. Codon: A sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.

8. Differentiation: The process by which cells become specialized in structure and function.

9. Disjunction: The separation of chromosomes or chromatids during cell division.

10. Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to altered protein function.

11. Proliferation: The rapid reproduction of cells or organisms.

12. Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing gametes (sperm and egg cells).

13. Mitosis: The process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

14. Nondisjunction: The failure of chromosomes to separate properly during cell division.

15. Cell density-dependent inhibition/contact inhibition: The process by which normal cells stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells.

Genetic Disorders and Inheritance

16. Autosomal dominant disorder: A genetic condition where only one copy of a mutant gene on an autosome is sufficient to cause the disorder.

17. Autosomal recessive disorder: A genetic condition where two copies of a mutant gene on an autosome are needed to cause the disorder.

18. Autosome: Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.

19. Dominant: An allele or trait that is expressed when only one copy is present.

20. Recessive: An allele or trait that is only expressed when two copies are present.

21. Heterozygous: Having two different alleles for a particular gene.

22. Homozygous: Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

23. Single-gene disorder: A condition caused by a mutation in a single gene.

24. Sex-linked disorder/X-linked disorder: A genetic disorder caused by mutations in genes on the sex chromosomes.

Specific Conditions

25. Anemia: A condition in which the blood has a reduced capacity to carry oxygen, often due to low red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels.

26. Anorexia: A condition characterized by a lack of appetite or an aversion to food.

27. Benign: Referring to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body.

28. Cachexia: A syndrome involving weight loss, muscle wasting, and fatigue, often seen in patients with chronic illnesses like cancer.

29. Down syndrome/Trisomy 21: A genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to developmental and physical changes.

30. Ectopic hormone production: The production of hormones by tissues or tumors outside their usual source.

31. Malignant: Referring to a cancerous tumor that invades surrounding tissues and can spread to other parts of the body.

32. Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the original site to other parts of the body.

33. Monosomy: A genetic condition where one chromosome is missing in a pair.

34. Trisomy: A genetic condition where there is an extra chromosome in a pair.

35. Trisomy 21/Down syndrome: Another term for Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Medical Interventions

36. Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

37. Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy radiation to kill or damage cancer cells.

38. Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)/tumor-angiogenesis factor: A protein that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, often used by tumors to ensure a blood supply.

Specific Proteins, Tests, and Concepts

39. Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response, often found on the surface of pathogens or cells.

40. CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen): A protein often found at elevated levels in certain cancers.

41. Cytokine: A small protein released by cells that affects the behavior of other cells, especially in immune responses.

42. Carrier: An individual who has one copy of a recessive allele that does not affect them but can pass it on to offspring.

43. PSA (Prostate-specific antigen): A protein produced by the prostate gland, often measured to screen for prostate cancer.

Reproductive Cells and Concepts

44. Germ cell: A reproductive cell (sperm or egg) that carries half the genetic information of the organism.

45. Parent/progenitor cell: A cell that divides to produce daughter cells, contributing to growth or repair.

46. Somatic cell: Any cell in the body that is not a reproductive cell.

47. Stem cell: An undifferentiated cell that can give rise to specialized cell types.

Genetics and Heredity Tools

48. Mendel’s laws: Principles of heredity, including the law of segregation and independent assortment, proposed by Gregor Mendel.

49. Punnett squares: A diagram used to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a genetic cross.