Key Genetics and Cell Division Terminology Explained
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Glossary of Genetics and Cell Biology Terms
Basic Genetic Concepts
- Allele
- A variant form of a gene.
- Chromosomes
- Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
- A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
- Gene
- A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait.
- Genotype
- The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
- Phenotype
- The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
- Trait
- A specific characteristic of an organism.
Cell Division and Reproduction
- Cell Reproduction
- The process by which cells produce new cells. In many cases, this involves creating exact copies of the cells they replace, such as in mitosis.
- Centrioles
- A cell organelle that aids in cell division in animal cells only.
- Diploid Cell
- A cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes (2n), one from each parent.
- Haploid Cell
- A cell containing only one set of chromosomes (n).
- Meiosis
- A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes.
- Phases of Meiosis
- The process occurs in two main stages, Meiosis I and Meiosis II:
- Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I
- Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II
- Mitosis
- A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.
- Phases of Mitosis
- The process occurs in four main phases:
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
- Sexual Reproduction
- A reproductive process that involves two parents who combine their genetic material to produce a new organism, which differs from both parents.
Mendelian Genetics and Crosses
- Dihybrid Cross
- A cross between two individuals that differ in two observed traits.
- Dominant Allele
- An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present.
- F1 Generation
- The first filial generation, which is the offspring of the P generation.
- F2 Generation
- The second filial generation, which is the result of a cross between two F1 individuals.
- Heterozygous
- Having two different alleles for a particular gene.
- Homozygous
- Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.
- Law of Independent Assortment
- The principle stating that genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes.
- Law of Segregation
- The principle stating that during the production of gametes, the two copies of each hereditary factor segregate so that offspring acquire one factor from each parent.
- Monohybrid Cross
- A mating between two individuals with different alleles for one trait.
- Parental Generation (P Generation)
- The adults used in the first experimental cross of a breeding experiment.
- Punnett Square
- A diagram used to predict the genotypes of a particular cross or breeding experiment.
- Recessive Allele
- An allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present.
- Test Cross
- A genetic cross between a homozygous recessive individual and a corresponding suspected heterozygote to determine the genotype of the latter.
Molecular Genetics
- Protein
- A complex macromolecule composed of one or more long chains of amino acids.
- Transcription
- The process by which the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into a complementary RNA molecule (mRNA).
- Translation
- The process by which genetic information coded in messenger RNA (mRNA) directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome.