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3rd 9 weeks vocab
Term | Definition |
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DNA | abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid; a long, thin molecule made up of nucleotides that holds genetic information |
Nucleotide | a unit of the DNA molecule which contains a sugar, phosphate group, and base |
DNA Replication | a process that creates new copies of DNA from another DNA molecule |
RNA | ribonucleic acid, a type of nucleic acid that that carries the code for making proteins from the nucleus to the cytoplasm |
Transription | the process of copying a DNA sequence, or genetic code, to a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule |
Translation | the process of making a protein from RNA |
Mutation | a permanent change in the sequence of DNA, or the nucleotides, in a gene or a chromosome |
Allele | variations of a gene that can result in different traits in living things |
Chromosome | thread-like strands that contain hundreds, or even thousands, of genes |
Punnett Square | a table in which all the possible outcomes for a genetic cross between two individuals with known genotypes are given |
Phenotype | how a trait appears or is expressed |
Genotype | the alleles of all the genes on an organism’s chromosomes; control’s an organism’s phenotype |
Homozygous | If an organism has two copies of the same allele (AA or aa) |
Heterozygous | If one organism has two copies of two different genes (Aa or aA) |
Dominant | a genetic factor that blocks another genetic factor |
Recessive | a genetic factor that is blocked by the presence of another genetic factor |
Genetic Varation | a slight difference in an inherited trait among individual members of a species |
Heredity | the passing of traits from parents to offspring |
Genes | a section of DNA on a chromosome that carry the information that determines your traits which are features or characteristics that are passed on to you, or inherited, from your parents |
Inheritance | the transmission of traits or information from one generation of individuals or cells to the next |
Gregor Mendel | an Austrian monk who discovered the basic principles of heredity through experiments in his garden |
Fossil record | record of all the fossils ever discovered on earth |
Mold | the impression of an organism onto a rock |
Cast | a fossil copy of an organism made when a mold of the organism is filled with sediment or mineral deposits |
Trace Fossil | the preserved evidence of the activity of an organism |
Geologic time scale | a chart that divide’s earth’s history into different time units based on changes in the rocks and fossils |
Extinction | event that occurs when the last individual organism of a species dies |
Biological Evolution | the change over time in populations of related organisms |
Naturalist | a person who studies plants and animals by observing them |
Variation | a slight difference in an inherited trait among individual members of a species |
Natural Selection | the process by which organisms with variation that help them survive in their environment live longer, compete better, and reproduce more than those that do not have the variations |
Adaptation | an inherited trait that increases on organism’s chance of survival and reproducing in a particular environment |
Camouflage | an adaptation that enables a species to blend in with its environment |
Mimicry | an adaptation in which one species looks like another species |
Selective Breeding | the selection and breeding of organisms for desired sex traits |
Comparative anatomy | the study of similarities and differences among structures of living species |
Homologous structure | body parts of organisms that are similar in structure and position but different in function |
Analogous structure | body parts that perform a similar function but differ in structure |
Vestigial Structure | body part that has lost its original function through evolution |
Embryology | the science of development of embryos from fertilization to birth |
Structure | arrangement of parts |
Function | the purpose, activity, or role of a body part or trait of an organism |