Traits and Reproduction 1
What is a mutation and how does it affect genes?
A mutation is a change in an organisms genes
What does homozygous mean?
Two copies of a gene version that are the same
What does heterozygous gene versions mean?
The two copies of a gene for each feature can be the different versions
What is a gene?
an instruction for making a protein molecule
What is a trait?
a specific characteristic of an individual organism
What do gene versions do?
Provide instructions for proteins
Why do siblings and parents differ from each other?
Offspring inherit different combinations of gene versions from parents
What is an allele?
a specific form of a gene that provides instructions for making a particular protein molecule
What is a version?
a specific form of a gene that provides instructions for making a particular protein molecule
What is a variation?
any difference in traits between individual organisms
How do different protein structures in cells determine traits?
Different protein structures affect how they connect to other proteins molecules
How do gene versions determine different traits?
Each gene version provides a unique instruction to make a specific protein molecule in an organism's cells.
What is a chromosome?
a long piece of DNA that contains many genes
What is a mutation?
a random change to a gene that sometimes results in a new trait
What is fertilization?
when a male and a female reproductive cell combine to create an offspring
How many proteins do heterozygous gene versions create?
Two proteins
How many proteins do homozygous genes create?
One protein
What is DNA?
a type of molecule that genes and chromosomes are made of
What is a nucleus?
the part of a cell where genes are found
What is an offspring?
an organism produced as a result of reproduction
How do organisms get their traits?
They inherit copy of a gene version from their mother and father
How do the proteins determine traits in organisms?
It depends on how they connect with other proteins
What is a feature?
a characteristic that all members of a species have
What is a ribosome?
the parts of the cell that build protein molecules based on instructions from genes
What is a protein molecule?
a type of large molecule that performs important functions inside organisms