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Genetics Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Genetics | the study of heredity; how inherited variation is encoded, replicated, expressed, and evolved over time |
| Genome | the complete set of genetic instructions for any organism; encoded in nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) |
| Transmission genetics | encompasses the basic principles of heredity and how traits are passed from one generation to the next |
| Molecular genetics | concerns the chemical nature of genes: HOW genetic information is encoded, replicated, and expressed // focuses on gene's structure, organization, and function |
| Population genetics | explores the genetic composition of populations and how that composition changes geographically and with the passage of time (evolution) |
| Model genetic organism | organisms widely used in genetic research that can serve as models for the genetic systems of other organisms; fruit flies, roundworms, and mice, for example |
| Pangenesis | theory that suggested specific pieces of information travel from various parts of the body to the reproductive organs, which are then passed to the embryo at the moment of conception |
| Inheritance of acquired characteristics | theory that traits acquired in a human's lifetime become incorporated into that person's hereditary information and are passed onto offspring |
| Preformationism | theory that inside the egg or sperm resides a fully formed miniature adult (homunculus) which simply enlarges in the course of development |
| Blending inheritance | theory proposing that the traits of offspring are a blend/mixture of parental traits; also suggested that genetic differences could not be separated in future generations (ex of blue and yellow making green) |
| Cell theory | 1) all life is composed of cells 2) cells only arise from pre-existing cells 3) the cell is the fundamental unit of structure/function in living organisms |
| Germ-plasm theory | theory that cells in the reproductive organs carry a complete set of genetic information that is passed to the egg and the sperm |
| Prokaryote | unicellular organism with relatively simple structure |
| Eukaryote | compartmentalized cell structure with components bound by intracellular membranes; either uni or multicellular |
| Bacteria | one of the 3 primary divisions of life, consisting of prokaryotic unicellular organisms |
| Archaea | one of the 3 primary divisions of life, consisting of unicellular organisms with prokaryotic cell structure |
| Nucleus | compartment in eukaryotes enclosed by nuclear membrane and contains genetic material |
| Histone | protein found in eukaryotes that associates with DNA to form chromosomes |
| Chromatin | complex of DNA and histone proteins |
| Virus | noncellular replicating structure of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat; only replicates within a host cell |
| Homologous pair | a pair of chromosomes that are alike in structure and size and that carry genetic information for the same set of hereditary characteristics. One chromosome is inherited from the male parent, and the other is inherited from the female parent |
| Diploid | cells that carry two sets of genetic information |
| Haploid | cells possessing a single set of chromsomes (one genome) |
| Polyploid | cells containing more than two sets of genetic information |
| Centromere | constricted region on chromosome that serves as attachment point for spindle microtubules |
| Telomere | specific DNA sequences and associated proteins located at the tips of whole linear chromosomes to protect and stabilize |
| Origin of replication | sites where DNA synthesis begins |
| Sister chromatid | two identical copies held together by centromere to form a whole chromosome; each consists of a single molecule of DNA |
| Cell cycle | the series of stages through which a cell passes from one division to the next; genetic instructions for all characteristics are accurately passed from parent to daughter cells |
| Checkpoint | transition points that allow or prohibit the cell's progression to the next stage; necessary to ensure that all cellular components are present and in good working order, and to prevent damaged cells from proliferating |
| Interphase | the period between cell divisions in which the cell grows, develops, and functions |
| M (mitotic) phase | period of active cell division |
| Mitosis | process of nuclear division |
| Cytokinesis | cytoplasmic division |
| Prophase | Chromosomes condense. Each chromosome possesses two chromatids. Mitotic spindle forms. |
| Condensin | a group of proteins that encircle the DNA within chromosomes and bring about condensation |
| Prometaphase | Nuclear membrane disintegrates and spindle microtubules attach to chromatids |
| Metaphase | Chromosomes line up on metaphase plate |
| Anaphase | Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite spindle poles |
| Telophase | Chromosomes arrive at spindle poles. The nuclear membrane re-forms, and the chromosomes relax |
| Meiosis | process by which the chromosomes of a eukaryotic cell divide to give rise to HAPLOID reproductive cells; consists of two divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II) |
| Fertilization | where two haploid gametes fuse and restore the number of chromosomes to its original diploid value |
| Prophase I | a lengthy stage in which the chromosomes form homologous pairs and crossing over takes place |
| Synapsis | close pairing of homologus chromosomes |
| Bivalent | a homologous pair of synapsed chromosomes consisting of four chromatids |
| Tetrad | same as bivalent |
| Crossing over | where 2 pairs of homologous chromosomes exchange genetic information |
| Metaphase I | homologous pairs of chromosomes align along the metaphase plate |
| Anaphase I | the two chromosomes of a homologous pair are pulled toward separate ends of the spindle poles |
| Telophase I | chromosomes arrive at the spindle poles, and the cytoplasm divides |
| Interkinesis | period between Meiosis I and II; nuclear membrane re-forms around the chromosomes clustered at each pole, spindle breaks down, and chromosomes relax |
| Prophase II | interkinesis reversed: chromosomes recondense, spindle re-forms, and nuclear membrane breaks down again |
| Metaphase II | replicated chromosomes line up on the metaphase plate, with sister chromatids facing opposite poles |
| Anaphase II | sister chromatids separate, and chromatids are pulled to opposite poles |
| Telophase II | chromosomes arrive at spindle poles, a nuclear membrane re-forms around the chromosomes, the cytoplasm divides, and chromosomes relax/no longer visible |
| Recombination | produces new combinations of alleles |
| Cohesin | a protein that holds the two sister chromatids of a chromosome together; has a ring-like structure; breaks down and enables chromatids to separate in anaphase of mitosis and anaphase II of meiosis |
| Spermatogenesis | production of gametes in a male animal; takes place in testes |
| Spermatogonium | diploid cell in the testis; capable of undergoing meiosis to produce a sperm |
| Primary spermatocyte | spermatogonium that has entered Prophase I |
| Secondary spermatocyte | product of Meiosis I in male animals |
| Spermatid | immediate product of Meiosis II in spermatogenesis; matures to sperm |
| Oogenesis | the production of gametes in a female animal |
| Oogonium | diploid cell in the ovary; capable of undergoing meiosis to produce an egg cell |
| Primary oocyte | oogonium that has entered prophase I |
| Secondary oocyte | one of the products of Meiosis I in oogenesis; receives most of the cytoplasm |
| First polar body | one of the products of Meiosis I in oogenesis; the smaller cell, which contains half the chromosomes but only a small part of the cytoplasm |
| Ovum | the mature female gamete; the larger of the two haploid cells formed during oogenesis, which acquires most of the cytoplasm during oogenesis |
| Second polar body | one of the products of Meiosis II in oogenesis; contains a set of chromosomes but little of the cytoplasm |
| Microsporocyte | diploid reproductive cell in the stamen of a plant; undergoes meiosis to produce FOUR HAPLOID MICROSPORES |
| Microspore | haploid product of meiosis in plants |
| Megasporocyte | diploid reproductive cell in the ovary of a plant that undergoes meiosis to produce haploid megaspores |
| Megaspore | one of the four products of meiosis in plants |
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