Question | Answer |
Gradualism | the slow and gradual processes that are believed to have occurred over millions of years |
Punctuated Equilibrium | a theory that explains gaps in the fossil record. It is characterized by long stable periods in earth’s history interrupted by brief periods of change |
Mutation | a mistake, defect, or change in the genetic code, they can be either positive, negative, or neutral |
Zoologist | a person who studies animals |
Mutagens | substances or agents that can alter the structure of DNA, causing a mutation |
Mitosis | the process of cell division that results in two identical cells |
Deletion | this occurs when a chromosome is lost during mitosis |
Duplication | the process during which chromosomes get replicated (copied) during mitosis |
Inversion | this occurs during mitosis when a chromosome becomes oriented in the reverse of its usual direction |
Translocation | this occurs when a piece of chromosome gets broken off and attaches to another chromosome during mitosis |
Nondisjunction | this occurs when chromosomes do not separate correctly during meiosis |
Nucleotide | a nucleic acid that is made up of three parts: a sugar, phosphate, and a base that contains nitrogen. There are five different bases that make up DNA |
Point Mutation | a gene mutation that involves a single nucleotide |
Frame Shift Mutation | a gene mutation that involves the deletion or insertion of a nucleotide, thus changing the grouping of codons |
Cancer | uncontrolled cell division resulting in tumors |