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AP Biology Genetic Vocabulary Flashcards

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8948543039crossing overProcess in which homologous chromosomes exchange portions of their chromatids during meiosis.0
8948543040law of independent assortmentOne of Mendel's principles that states that genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes1
8948543041law of segregation(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes2
8948543042random fertilizationsource of genetic variation caused by the unlimited number of possible sperm & egg combinations3
8948543043heterozygousAn organism that has two different alleles for a trait4
8948543044monohybrid crossA cross between individuals that involves one pair of contrasting traits5
8948543045dihybrid crossA cross between two individuals, concentrating on two definable traits6
8948543046alleleAn alternative form of a gene.7
8948543047geneA discrete unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence in DNA (or RNA, in some viruses). Codes for RNA, polypeptides, and proteins8
8948543048synapsisPairing of homologous chromosomes. homologous chromosomes loosely pair up -align gene by gene -get together with homologous pair9
8948543049dominant alleleAn allele that will determine phenotype if just one is present in the genotype10
8948543050recessive alleleAn allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present11
8948543051phenotypeAn organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.12
8948543052genotypeAn organism's genetic makeup (alleles for a particular gene)13
8948543053test crossthe crossing of an individual of unknown genotype with a homozygous recessive individual to determine the unknown genotype14
8948543054rule of multiplicationA statistical rule stating that the probability of two independent events occurring together is the product of their individual probabilities.15
8948543055rule of additionA statistical rule stating that the probability of either of two independent (and mutually exclusive) events occurring is the sum of their individual probabilities minus the probability of them both occurring together.16
8948543056complete dominanceA relationship in which one allele is completely dominant over another17
8948543057incomplete dominanceA type of inheritance in which two contrasting alleles contribute to the individual a trait not exactly like either parent; blending inheritance.18
8948543058codominanceBoth alleles are equally expressed19
8948543059multiple allelesthree or more forms of a gene that code for a single trait (but each individual only has 2)20
8948543060pedigreeA diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family21
8948543061cystic fibrosisan autosomal recessive disorder creating thick sticky mucus which is hard to expel22
8948543062Tay-SachsA human genetic disease caused by a recessive allele for a dysfunctional enzyme, leading to accumulation of certain lipids in the brain. Seizures, blindness, and degeneration of motor and mental performance usually become manifest a few months after birth.23
8948543063Sickle cellA human genetic disease of red blood cells caused by the substitution of a single amino acid in the hemoglobin protein; creating sickle shaped red blood cells that collect in vessels causing pain and reduced gas exchange24
8948543064lethal dominant allelehaving a single dominant allele results in death25
8948543065Huntington's diseaseprogressive hereditary disorder characterized by uncontrolled movements- changes in cortex & cerebellum26
8948543066sex-linked genesa gene that is carried on the X or Y chromosome27
8948543067X chromosomeThe sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.28
8948543068Y chromosomeThe sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child29
8948543069Duchenne Muscular DystrophyA human genetic disease caused by a sex-linked recessive allele; characterized by progressive weakening and a loss of muscle tissue.30
8948543070HemophiliaA sex-linked hereditary disease where blood does not coagulate to stop bleeding31
8948543071X-inactivationa process by which one of the two copies of the X chromosome present in female mammals is randomly inactivated creating a Barr body32
8948543072Barr BodyThe inactivated X chromosome33
8948543073Genetic recombinationthe regrouping of genes in an offspring that results in a genetic makeup that is different from that of the parents34
8948543074linkage mapA genetic map based on the frequencies of recombination between markers during crossing over of homologous chromosomes.35
8948543075map unitin chromosome mapping, an increment of 1 percent in the frequency of crossing-over36
8948543076nondisjuctionError in meiosis in which homologous chromosomes fail to separate.37
8948543077aneuploidyA chromosomal aberration in which one or more chromosomes are present in extra copies or are deficient in number.38
8948543078polyploidyCondition in which an organism has extra full sets of chromosomes39
8948543079trisomy3 copies of a chromosome40
8948543080monsomyChromosomal abnormality consisting of the absence of one chromosome from the normal diploid number41
8948543081mutationan event that changes the nucleotide sequence in a gene, creating a novel sequence which may have no function or a new function42
8948543082point mutationGene mutation involving changes in one or a few nucleotides43
8948543083deletion(1) A deficiency in a chromosome resulting from the loss of a fragment through breakage. (2) A mutational loss of one or more nucleotide pairs from a gene.44
8948543084duplicationAn aberration in chromosome structure due to fusion with a fragment from a homologous chromosome, such that a portion of a chromosome is duplicated.45
8948543085inversion(genetics) a kind of mutation in which the order of the genes in a section of a chromosome is reversed46
8948543086translocationChange to a chromosome in which a fragment of one chromosome attaches to a nonhomologous chromosome47
8948543087frameshiftMutation that shifts the "reading" frame of the genetic message by inserting or deleting a nucleotide48
8948543088Down SyndromeA condition of retardation and associated physical disorders caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.49
8948543089KlinefelterSyndromeA chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra X chromosome, making them XXY instead of XY.50
8948543090Turner syndromea monosomic condition where a female has only 1 sex chromosome- the only known viable monosomy in humans51
8948543091true breedingIf an organism has a certain characteristic that is always passed on to its offspring, we say that this organism bred true with respect to that characteristic.52
8948543092linked genesGenes located close enough together on a chromosome that they tend to be inherited together.53
8948543093carrierA person whose genotype includes a gene that is not expressed in the phenotype.54
8948543094G1First stage of interphase in which cell grows and performs its normal functions. Cell is diploid.55
8948543095G0Cell is performing its normal functions, but has left the cell cycle and is not dividing. Does not pass the G1 checkpoint56
8948543096S phaseThe synthesis phase of the cell cycle; the portion of interphase during which DNA is replicated.57
8948543097G2Last stage of interphase in which cell grows and performs its normal functions. Cell is diploid.58
8948543098InterphaseCell grows, performs its normal functions, and prepares for division; consists of G1, S, and G2 phases59
8948543099ProphasePhase of mitosis in which chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane disappears, nucleolus disappears, and spindle fibers begin to form.60
8948543100MetaphasePhase of mitosis in which spindle fibers help chromosomes line up on the midline of the cell.61
8948543101AnaphasePhase of mitosis in which the chromosomes separate and move to opposite ends of the cell.62
8948543102TelophasePhase of mitosis during which chromosomes uncoil, a nuclear envelope returns around the chromatin, and a nucleolus becomes visible in each daughter cell"63
8948543103cytokinesisAt the end of telophase, actin fibers form an equator around the cell and contract, separating the cytoplasm into two daughter cells.64
8948543104centrioleA paired cluster of microtubules near the nucleus in animal cells. This organelle organizes spindle fibers during mitosis.65
8948543105centromereRegion of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids attach to one another. Contains the kinetochore.66
8948543106kinetochoreA specialized region on the centromere that links each sister chromatid to the mitotic spindle.67
8948543107spindle fibersMade of microtubules that connect centrioles to kinetochores of chromosomes and that separate sister (mitosis) or homologous (meiosis) chromosomes during cell division68
8948543108chromosomeA threadlike, gene-carrying structure found in the nucleus. Each chromosome consists of one very long DNA molecule and associated proteins.69
8948543109chromatidOne of two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome.70
8948543110haploidA cell with only one copy of each chromosome.gamete -contains a single set of chromosomes -n71
8948543111diploidA cell with two copies of each chromosome.has two sets of chromosomes -human # is 46 -2n72
8948543112karyotypeMicrograph of the complete diploid set of chromosomes grouped together in pairs, arranged in order of decreasing size73
8948543113cancerDisorder in which some of the body's cells lose the ability to control growth; A disease in which the body cells grow & divide uncontrollably, damaging the parts of the body around them.74
8948543114metastisisspread of cancer cells75
8948543115genomeconsists of all the DNA in a cell -holds specific genetic traits76
8948543116somatic cellshave two sets of chromosomes -go through mitosis -nonreproductive body cells77
8948543117gameteshave half as many chromosomes as somatic cells -go through meiosis -reproductive cells78
8948543118metaphase platemidway point between the spindles two poles -where chromosomes line up in metaphase79
8948543119cleavage furrowformed in eukaryotic cells during late telophase and cytokinesis80
8948543120cell plateforms in plant cells during cytokinesis81
8948543121binary fissionprokaryotic method of reproduction and cell division -chromosome replicates and the two daughter chromosomes actively more apart82
8948543122cell cycle control systemdirects sequential event of the cell cycle -regulated by internal and external force -receives signals from the cytoplasm83
8948543123checkpointswhere the cell cycle stops until a go ahead signal is received -G1 is the most important for many cells84
8948543124growth factorsproteins released by certain cells that stimulate other cells to divide85
8948543125density dependent inhibitioncrowded cells stop dividing86
8948543126tumorsmasses of abnormal cells within otherwise normal tissue -formed by cancer cells87
8948543127benign tumor-lump of abnormal cells remaining only at the original site of the cancer88
8948543128malignant tumorinvade surrounding tissue89
8948543129metastasizeexporting cancer cells to other parts of the body, where they may form secondary tumors90
894854313046What is the chromosome number for humans?91
8948543131homologous chromosomes2 chromosomes in each pair -same length and shape -carry genes controlling the same inherited characters92
8948543132fertilizationthe union of gametes (sperm and egg)93
8948543133zygotefertilized egg -one set of chromosomes from each parent -diploid cell produces somatic cells by mitosis94
8948543134prophase 1occupies more than 90% of the time required for meiosis -chromosomes condense -synapse and crossing over -tetrads and chiasmata95
8948543135homozygousAn organism that has identical alleles for a trait96
8948543136Geneticsstudy of how characteristics are passed from parent to offspring97
8948543137Gregor MendelThe "father of genetics"98
8948543138hereditythe passing of characteristics from parents to offspring99
8948543139traita genetically determined characteristic100
8948543140molecular geneticstype of genetics that studies the genes & chromosomes of an organism101
8948543141hybridanother name for a heterozygous genotype102
8948543142probabiltythe chance of some event happening103
8948543143generationa span of time between the birth of parents & the birth of their offspring104
8948543144P (parent) generationthe generation of true-breeding plants105
8948543145F1 generationoffspring of a cross between the P generation106
8948543146F2 generationoffspring of a cross between the F1 generation107
8948543147cellbasic unit of life108
8948543148cell cyclean ordered sequence of events that includes when a eukaryotic cell is first formed to until it divides into two cells109
8948543149mitosisthe process by which the nucleus of a cell divides into two nuclei110
8948543150meiosisthe production of gamete cells111
8948543151sister chromatidthe two chromosomes that make up a matched pair in a diploid cell112
8948543152tetrada paired set of homologous chromosomes, each composed of two sister chromatids113
8948543153punnett squarea tool used to solve probability problems114
8948543154sex chromosomea chromosome that determines whether on individual is a male or female115
8948543155autosomea chromosome not directly involved in determining the sex of an organism116
8948543156sex influenced traita trait expressed in one sex but not the other117
8948543157chromatinthe material of which the chromosomes of organisms other than bacteria (i.e., eukaryotes) are composed. It consists of protein, RNA, and DNA.118
8948543158asexualnot involving the fusion of gametes.119
8948543159sexualthe fusion of gametes120
8948543160chiasmataa point at which paired chromosomes remain in contact during the first metaphase of meiosis, and at which crossing over and exchange of genetic material occur between the strands.121
8948543161centrosomean organelle near the nucleus of a cell that contains the centrioles (in animal cells) and from which the spindle fibers develop in cell division.122
8948543162cyclinsproteins that control the progression of cells through the cell cycle by activating cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) enzymes.123
8948543163syngamythe fusion of two cells, or of their nuclei, in reproduction.124
8948543164variationa change or difference in condition, amount, or level, typically with certain limits.125
8948543165synaptonemal complexa ladderlike series of parallel threads; adjacent to and coaxial with pairing chromosomes in meiosis.126
8948543166127

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