Genetics & Heredity
What is the basic unit of heredity?
Gene
What is the process by which DNA is transcribed into RNA?
Transcription
What is an allele?
A variant form of a gene.
What is a mutation?
A change in the DNA sequence.
What is evolution?
The change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
What term describes an individual's observable traits?
Phenotype
What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?
Ribosomes are the sites where proteins are assembled.
How many alleles do humans inherit for each gene?
Two alleles, one from each parent.
What are the two main types of mutations?
P_____ Mutations
F_____ Mutations
Point mutations and frameshift mutations.
Who is known as the father of evolution?
Charles Darwin
What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous?
Homozygous has two identical alleles, while heterozygous has two different alleles?
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Amino Acids
What is the significance of dominant and recessive alleles?
Dominant alleles can mask the presence of recessive alleles in phenotypes.
How can mutations be beneficial?
Some mutations can provide advantages that enhance survival or reproduction.
What is natural selection?
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
What is the law stating that during gamete formation, the alleles for each gene separate from each other?
Mendel's Law of Segregation
What process involves the translation of mRNA into a protein?
Translation
What is a genotype?
The genetic makeup of an individual.
What is a silent mutation?
A mutation that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein.
How does genetic variation contribute to evolution?
Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.
How can multiple alleles affect inheritance?
Multiple alleles can create variations in traits, such as blood types.
How do mutations in DNA affect protein synthesis?
Mutations can lead to changes in amino acid sequences, potentially altering protein function.
Describe how a Punnett square is used in genetics.
A Punnett square is used to predict the genotype and phenotype ratios of offspring from a genetic cross.
How does environmental exposure lead to mutations?
Exposure to toxins, radiation, or certain chemicals can cause DNA damage, leading to mutations.
What is the significance of the fossil record in understanding evolution?
The fossil record provides evidence of past life forms and their evolutionary changes over time.