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AP Bio - Genetics Flashcards

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5979418599ApoptosisProgrammed cell death to remove cells that have become harmful to the organism or are no longer needed.0
5979443438AlleleOne of two or more alternative states of a gene.1
5979443439BacteriophageA virus that infects bacterial cells2
5979461386ChromatidOne of the two daughter strands of a duplicated chromosome; held together by a centromere3
5979461387CytokinesisDivision of the cytoplasm of a cell after nuclear division; last part of the cell cycle.4
5979461388Crossing overDuring meiosis I, an exchange of pieces of genetic material between homologous chromosomes; causes genetic recombination5
5979461389CodominanceWhen two or more alleles are equally represented in a heterozygote; example AB blood type.6
5979467530CodonThree consecutive nucleotides that code for a specific amino acid7
5979467531ConjugationTransfer of DNA from one unicellular organism to another8
5979467532CRISPRA segment of bacterial DNA containing repeating nucleotide sequences that can be used in genetic engineering to alter an organism's DNA9
5979571963DiploidHaving two sets of chromosomes (2n); characteristic of non-gamete cells10
5979571964DNA PolymeraseEnzymes that synthesize DNA; only synthesize in the 5' to 3' direction11
5979789065DNA methylationAddition of a methyl group (CH3) to the DNA strand resulting in a change in gene expression12
5979571965EpigeneticsThe study of changes in an organism caused by gene expression rather than changes to the genetic code13
5979573580EpistasisInteraction in which one gene modifies the phenotype of another.14
5979573581Frameshift MutationA mutation in which a nucleotide is added or deleted from DNA, creating a downstreaming effect on other codons.15
5979624593GameteA haploid reproductive cell (sperm/egg)16
5979624594GenotypeThe genetic constitution that causes a trait or set of traits17
5979624595Gel ElectrophoresisA laboratory method that separates DNA, RNA, or proteins based on molecular size; used to show genetic relationships between organisms18
5979628523HaploidHaving only one set of chromosomes (n); such as in sex cells19
5979628524HeterozygousHaving two different alleles of the same gene (ex. Tt)20
5979639261HomozygousHaving two identical alleles for a given gene (ex. TT or tt)21
5979681543Homologous ChromosomesTwo of the same chromosome found in a diploid cell, one being derived from each parent22
5979784212InterphaseThe period between two mitotic divisions during which the cell grows and DNA replicates23
5979784213Incomplete DominanceWhen two alleles are expressed to create a phenotype that blends both traits.24
5979871695Missense MutationA mutation in which one base is substituted, causing a change in one amino acid25
5979871696MitosisDivision of somatic cells to create two identical daughter nuclei26
5979871697MeiosisDivision of gametes to create four unique, haploid cells27
5979873076NondisjunctionWhen sister chromatids fail to separate during meiosis, resulting in cells that have one too many or one too few chromosomes; can cause Down Syndrome28
5979875410NucleotideThe building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA); composed of a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogen base (A,T,C,or G).29
5979962087Okazaki FragmentA short segment of DNA produced by the discontinuous replication of DNA in the 5' to 3' direction30
5979962088OperonA cluster of genes transcribed together to create a single mRNA molecule31
5979962089OperatorA site on DNA that a repressor can bind to to prevent transcription of mRNA32
5979962090PhenotypeThe physical appearance or functional expression of a trait33
5979964043PleiotropyWhen one allele has more than one effect on the production of a phenotype34
5979964044PromoterA DNA sequence that RNA polymerase attaches to in order to begin transcription of a gene35
5979967590Point MutationA change in one nucleotide in a DNA molecule; can be missense (changes amino acid); nonsense (codes for Stop codon), or silent (no change in amino acid)36
5979970221PlasmidA small circular fragment of bacterial DNA that can self-replicate independent of chromosomal DNA37
5979973120PrionInfectious proteins that cause cell death; cause of Mad Cow disease38
5979973121PCRA process which uses DNA polymerase to create millions of copies of a desired DNA sequence.39
5980117009RFLP'sFragments of DNA with varying lengths that have been cut by restriction enzymes and can be separated by size during gel electrophoresis40
5980117010Restriction EnzymesAn enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides41
5980119679Recombinant DNAFragments of DNA from two different species, spliced together through genetic engineering.42
5980123104Regulator GeneA gene that controls the expression of other genes43
5980123105RepressorA protein that regulates DNA transcription by preventing RNA polymerase from attaching to the operator44
5980188004RNA PrimerA short sequence of RNA nucleotides used as the starting point for replication by DNA polymerase45
5980194060RNA PolymeraseAn enzyme that synthesizes mRNA molecules based on a DNA template46
5980199088RetrovirusA virus containing RNA instead of DNA, and an enzyme (reverse transcriptase), that uses the infected cell's machinery to build DNA47
5980188005Somatic CellBody cells; any cell of a multicellular organism except for gametes48
5980188006Semiconservative ReplicationEach parent strand of DNA is paired with a strand of new DNA during replication.49
5980241763TransductionThe transfer of genetic material from one organism to another by way of a virus/vector50
5980241764TranslationThe assembly of a protein from amino acids coded for by mRNA codons51
5980241765TransformationThe uptake of DNA from the environment; occurs in some bacterial species52
5980241766TranscriptionSynthesis of an mRNA molecule based on a DNA template53
5980244034TelomereA specialized region of DNA that caps each end of a chromosome54

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