Genetics
what is mitosis?
The process of cell division, during which one cell gives rise to two identical daughter cells
what is a genotype?
an organism's complete set of genes or genetic makeup, which determines its traits and characteristics.
What is natural selection?
a process that causes species to evolve over time by favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environment
EX: giraffes long necks to reach the tops of trees
What is artificial selection?
the process where humans, rather than nature, choose which organisms with specific traits will reproduce
EX: specific types of meat
What are fossils?
the preserved remains of plants and animals whose bodies were buried in sediments, such as sand and mud
what is Chloroplasts?
Contain chlorophyll and allow plant cells to perform photosynthesis
what is phenotypes?
the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, influenced by both its genes (genotype) and environment.
What is migration?
the movement of animals from one place to another, often to settle in a new location
EX: birds moving locations to escape the cold
What is a GMO?
a plant, animal, or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, typically to enhance specific traits or characteristics
EX: corn
What are the types of fossils?
Body, Molecular, Trace & Carbon Fossil
what is the difference between plant and animal cells?
plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells lack these structures; (plant cells are also typically rectangular in shape due to the cell wall, whereas animal cells can vary in shape and are usually round or oval;)
explain punnett squares?
a diagram used in genetics to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring in a breeding experiment, by showing all possible combinations of parental alleles.
What is genetic drift?
a random fluctuation in the frequency of alleles (gene variants) within a population, driven by chance events
EX: the founder effect
What is cloning?
creating an exact genetic replica of a cell, tissue, or organism, resulting in a clone with the same genetic makeup as the original
EX: identical twins
What are fossils used for?
to understand the history of life on Earth, including evolution, ancient ecosystems, and climate change, while also helping geologists date rocks and correlate geological events across different locations.
what cell is produced in meiosis?
gametes – eggs and sperm (reproductive cells.)
what is homozygous?
having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes.
what is a mutation?
a change in the DNA sequence of an organism
EX: down syndrome
What is selective breeding?
the process where humans choose which organisms (plants or animals) with desired traits are used to reproduce, aiming to enhance those traits in future generations
EX: breeding crops to produce a better flavor
what is the relative/ absolute age of rocks and fossils?
Relative age refers to the age of a rock or fossil compared to others, while absolute age refers to its numerical age in years
what is endoplasmic reticulum?
protein and lipid production.
what is a dominant trait.
one that is expressed even when only one copy of the associated allele is present.
What are structural/ behavioral adaptions?
structural adaptions are physical features of an organism (birds beak) while Behavioral adaptations are the things organisms do to survive (migration)
What is gene therapy?
a medical approach that aims to treat or prevent diseases by modifying a person's genes, potentially replacing faulty genes with healthy ones or introducing new genes to fight disease
EX: treatments for blindness
What is the Law of Superposition?
the idea that the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top