Genetics Overview and Key Concepts

The study of heredity,how traits are passed down through generations.

Examines the chemical makeup of genes and how they work

Focuses on the basics of inheritance through generations.

The genetics of groups of organisms,mainly within one species.

Mendel chose peas for their ease of growth and clear traits.

How genes are turned on/off,controlling their effects.

Diseases caused by defects in genes.

Chromosomes carry genes, impacting how traits are inherited.

Some alleles are dominant, others are recessive, and the dominant allele will be expressed if present.

A tool used to predict the probability of offspring inheriting specific combinations of alleles.

The process by which species change over time to adapt to their environments.

Population growth outpaces resources, leading to competition.

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Unrelated species evolve similar traits as they adapt to similar environments.

Proposed that geographical features change over time.

Examples of species that adapted to their environments in the Galapagos islands.

Inherited trait improving survival and reproduction.

Taxon outside the group of interest, providing context.

Group containing ancestor and all descendants, nested.

Study of evolutionary relationships among species.

Phylogenetic tree with a common ancestor.

Similar traits from independent evolution.

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Cells without a membrane-bound nucleus, containing their DNA in a single circular molecule.

Cells with a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, containing their DNA in multiple linear chromosomes.

Organisms consisting of a single cell, carrying out all life functions.

Organisms composed of multiple cells, specialized for different functions and forming tissues.

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Physical differences preventing mating, like incompatible reproductive organs.

Gametes (sperm and eggs) from different species are unable to fuse.

Hybrid offspring resulting from interbreeding may not survive or be fertile.

A phylum of aquatic animals with radial symmetry, stinging cells called cnidocytes, and a simple nervous system. They can be sessile (attached) or free-living.

The kingdom that includes all multicellular, autotrophic organisms that are non-motile. They have cell walls made of cellulose and specialized organs like roots, stems, and leaves.

Also known as flatworms, they have bilateral symmetry (mirror images), are parasitic or free-living, and lack an anus. This means they have an incomplete digestive system.

Also known as roundworms, they have a complete digestive system (mouth and anus) and exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females are physically different.

Segmented worms with multiple organ systems, including digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems. They have a body divided into rings.

Characterized by jointed appendages and a sturdy exoskeleton made of chitin. This is the most diverse phylum with many species, including insects and spiders.

Phylum of soft-bodied species with radial symmetry that may be aquatic or land-dwelling. They are also characterized by a muscular foot.

The physical differences between males and females of a species. For example, males and females of a roundworm species may have different sizes or shapes.

The process of creating an identical copy of DNA, necessary before cell division to ensure daughter cells receive DNA.

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication happens in the nucleus.

SSBs bind to strands of DNA during replication to keep them apart, allowing for copying.

Topoisomerase prevents supercoiling near the replication fork, ensuring DNA can be unwound and copied properly.

A primer is a short sequence of RNA synthesized by primase, used by DNA polymerase to start copying a DNA strand.

The leading strand is copied continuously by DNA polymerase in the 5' to 3' direction.

The lagging strand is copied discontinuously by DNA polymerase in the 5' to 3' direction, forming Okazaki fragments.

Once the lagging strand is completed, ligase joins Okazaki fragments to form a continuous strand. This process results in two identical DNA molecules.