Meiosis and Genetics
This term refers to the specific physical or chemical trait that is masked or hidden in a heterozygous individual, only appearing when two copies are present.
What is recessive?
This term refers to the three-base sequence found on a tRNA molecule that directly binds to a complementary codon on an mRNA strand.
What is an anticodon?
This process describes how organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, driving evolution.
What is natural selection?
This gas is absorbed from the atmosphere by plants and acts as the primary carbon source needed to construct sugar molecules during photosynthesis.
What is carbon dioxide (CO2)?
This broad term refers to any permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA.
What is a mutation?
This type of life cycle cell, such as a somatic body cell, contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent.
What is diploid ($2n$)?
This specific type of RNA molecule is synthesized in the nucleus and carries the genetic "blueprint" out to the ribosome in the cytoplasm.
What is mRNA (messenger RNA)?
This evolutionary pattern occurs when two closely related species become increasingly different over time as they adapt to different environmental pressures.
What is divergent evolution?
This chemical compound is the primary sugar product constructed by plants during photosynthesis and broken down by cells during respiration.
What is glucose (C6H12O6)?
If a pedigree shows a trait that skips generations, affects both sexes, and often appears in children of unaffected parents who are related (consanguineous), it is likely this type of trait.
What is autosomal recessive?
This is the specific term for an alternative version of a gene that dictates a specific trait, like the gene for purple flowers versus white flowers.
What is an allele?
DNA replication is described by this term because each new molecule consists of one original conserved strand and one newly synthesized strand.
What is semi-conservative?
An organism that shares many similarities between itself and another organism (include DNA or physical similarities) is said to have this.
What is a recent common ancestor?
This term refers to organisms, like plants and algae, that produce their own food using light or chemical energy.
What are autotrophs (or producers)?
This type of mutation occurs when a single nucleotide base swap changes a codon, but it still codes for the exact same amino acid, causing no change to the protein.
What is a silent mutation?
This inheritance pattern occurs when both alleles are fully and separately expressed in a heterozygous individual, such as a cow with both red and white hairs (roan).
What is codominance?
This enzyme is responsible for opening the DNA double helix and matching RNA nucleotides to the template strand during transcription.
What is RNA polymerase?
In evolutionary biology, this specific term does not refer to physical strength, but rather a measure of an individual's reproductive success and its genetic contribution to the next generation.
What is biological fitness?
In a closed ecosystem, the gas CO2 tends to increase during the night and increase during the day. The increase of CO2 during daylight hours is due to this process.
What is photosynthesis?
You are analyzing a pedigree for a rare trait. An affected female has 3 sons, and all 3 sons are affected. Her daughters are all unaffected but have affected sons of their own. This strongly suggests this pattern.
What is X-linked recessive?
In a pedigree tracking an X-linked recessive condition like hemophilia, an affected male must have inherited the disease-causing allele from this parent.
Who is the mother?
If an mRNA codon reads 5'-AUG-3', this is the sequence of the corresponding tRNA anticodon that will bind to it.
What is 3'-UAC-5'?
Without this genetic feature in a population, a sudden environmental change or disease outbreak could potentially wipe out an entire species because no individuals would possess a survival advantage.
What is genetic variation (or genetic diversity)?
In a closed ecosystem, if all plant life is removed and no O2 is produced by photosynthesis, the remaining animals will be able to survive briefly using this process.
What is fermentation?
If a healthy couple has a son with an X-linked recessive disorder, this is the exact probability that their next daughter will be a carrier for the condition.
What is 50% (or 1/2)?