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Definition
| The branch of genetics concerned with the structure and function of genes and DNA sequences at the molecular level. |
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| The branch of genetics concerned with patterns and processes of inheritance, named after Gregor Mendel, the first scientist to work out these principles. |
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| The branch of genetics concerned with the changes in the frequency of genes and DNA sequences in populations over time. |
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| Short-term evolutionary change. |
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| Long-term evolutionary change. |
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Term
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) |
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Definition
| The molecule that provides the genetic code for biological structures and the means to translate this code. |
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Definition
| Chemical units that make up part of the DNA molecule and specify genetic instructions. (adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine) |
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| The molecule that functions to carry out the instructions for protein synthesis specified by the DNA molecule. |
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| The form of RNA that transports the genetic instructions from the DNA molecule to the site of protein synthesis. |
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Definition
| A free-floating molecule that is attracted to a strand of messenger RNA, resulting in the synthesis of a protein chain. |
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Definition
| The DNA that is contained in the sucleus of the cell. |
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Definition
| A long strand of DNA sequences. |
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Definition
| A DNA sequence that codes for a functional polypeptide or RNA product. |
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Definition
| The molecule in blood cells that transports oxygen. |
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Definition
| A section of DNA that codes for the amino acids that make up proteins. It is contrasted with an intron. |
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Definition
| A section of DNA that does not code for the amino acids that make up proteins. It is contrasted wtih an exon. |
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Definition
| A gene that acts as a genetic switch to turn protein-coding genes on or off. |
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Definition
| A group of regulatory genes that encode a sequence of 60 amino acids regulating embryonic development. |
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Definition
| The process of replication of chromosomes in body cells. |
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Definition
| The creation of sex cells by replication of chromosomes followed by cell division. |
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Definition
| The total DNA sequence of an organism. |
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Definition
| The specific location of a gene or DNA sequence on a chromosome. |
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Definition
| The alternative form of a gene or DNA sequence that occurs at a given locus. Some loci have only one allele, some have two, and some may have many alternative forms. Alleles occur in pairs, one on each chromosome. |
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Term
| Mendel's Law of Segregation |
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Definition
| States that sex cells contain one of each pair of alleles. |
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Definition
| The genetic endowment of an individual from the two alleles present at a given locus. |
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Definition
| When both alleles at a given locus are identical. |
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Definition
| When the two alleles at a given locus are different. |
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Definition
| The observable appearance of a given genotype in the organism. |
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Definition
| An allele that masks the effect of the other allele (which is recessive) in a heterozygous genotype. |
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Definition
| An allele whose effect is masked by the other allele (which is dominant) in a heterozygous genotype. |
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Definition
| When both alleles affect the phenotype of a heterozygous genotype, and neither is dominant over the other. |
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Term
| Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment |
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Definition
| States that the segregation of any pair of chromosomes does not affect the probability of segregation for other pairs of chromosomes. |
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Definition
| When alleles on the same chromosome are inherited together. |
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Definition
| The exchange of DNA between chromosomes during meiosis. |
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Definition
| The production of new combinations of DNA sequences caused by exchanges of DNA during meiosis. |
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Definition
| A small amount of DNA that is located in the mitochondria of cells. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only through the mother. |
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Definition
| A complex genetic trait affected by two or more loci. |
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Definition
| A single allele that has multiple effects on an organism. |
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Definition
| A mechanism for evolutionary change resulting from a random change in the genetic code; the ultimate source of all genetic variation. |
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Definition
| The proportion of total variation of a trait due to genetic variation. |
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Definition
| An allele of the hemoglobin locus. Individuals homozygous for this allele have sickle cell anemia. |
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Definition
| A condition in which one chromosome rather than a pair is present in body cells. |
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Definition
| A condition in which three chromosomes rather than a pair occur in body cells. |
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