Biology Chapter 10: Genetics and Heredity

Heredity refers to the passing of traits from parents to offspring, while variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals.

The three main categories of Key Vocabulary in Chapter 10 are Heredity, Variation, and Genetics.

Genes are the units of heredity that are responsible for specific traits. Gametes are sex cells (egg or sperm) that carry half the number of chromosomes found in normal body cells.

<p>Somatic cells are all the cells in the body except for the reproductive cells (gametes). Gametes are the sex cells (egg or sperm) that carry half the number of chromosomes found in normal body cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Asexual reproduction involves a single parent producing offspring that are genetically identical to itself. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes (sperm and egg) from two parents to create genetically unique offspring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A clone is an organism that is genetically identical to another organism. It is a result of asexual reproduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A haploid cell contains one complete set of chromosomes. A diploid cell contains two complete sets of chromosomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A karyotype illustrates the number and appearance of chromosomes in an individual, arranged in pairs from largest to smallest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that are identical in size and shape and have the same genes in the same locations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Meiosis I separates homologous chromosome pairs and reduces the chromosome number by half. Meiosis II separates the sister chromatids of each chromosome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during Meiosis. It is a key process that contributes to genetic diversity in offspring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A tetrad is a four-stranded structure formed during Prophase I of Meiosis when homologous chromosomes pair up. Each strand represents a chromatid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Random fertilization refers to the random combination of sperm and egg during fertilization. Independent assortment is the random separation of homologous chromosome pairs during Meiosis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A recombinant chromosome is created as a result of crossing over, mixing up genetic material from a parent. This leads to increased genetic variation as offspring inherit a unique combination of genes.</p> Signup and view all the answers