1What is fertilisation?
the fusion of two gametes’ nucleus
2What is variation?
differences between organisms of the same species
3What is a gene?
a small section of a chromosome coded for certain characteristics
4What is DNA?
genetic code
5How many chromosomes are in a sex cell?
23 from each parent
6What is the purpose of a gene?
to make proteins
7How is DNA structured?
in a double helix
8What is asexual reproduction?
where an organism produces an identical clone
9What is sexual reproduction?
where 2 organisms produce an offspring which differin variety to the organisms
10What are chromosomes?
long coils of DNA
11What are alleles?
different versions of the same gene- dominant or recessive
12What does homozygous mean?
where 2 alleles are the same
13What does heterozygous mean?
where 2 alleles are different
14What is a genotype?
the genetic make up of an individual
15What is a phenotype?
the observable characteristics of an individual
16How can we show the potential genotype of an individual?
We can use Punnett squares
17What is a mutuation?
changes in the genetic make up of an individual
18What is discontinuous variation?
categorical variation with no intermediates ( e.g. blood groups and shoe size)
19What is continuous variation?
variation that follows a range (e.g. weight and height)
20What are species?
a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
21What is speciation?
the development of new species that occurs when two similar organisms are isolated, either due to the removal of habitiats, mountain formations or tectonic movement
22What is selective breeding?
where humans determine what desirable traits are passed down between organisms (e.g. cows that produce the most milk)
23How are fossils formed?
1. The animal dies in the sea and sinks to ocean floor
2. Skin is eaten away by smaller animals or breaks down
3. Sediment layers over the skeleton and packs the organism in stone- this takes millions of years
4. The bones break down and are washed away by ground water, leaving the imprint of the bones
24What are bacteria cells an example of?
prokaryotic cells- they don’t have a nucleus
25What are prokaryotic cells made of?
Cell wall- for rigidity
Flagellum- for movement
Plasmids- allow bacteria to swap genetic info
Loop of DNA- genetic information
26What is antibiotic resistance?
where bacterium resists medication that prevent cell wall synthesis- this is a problem as the more resistant genes are passed down and can cause harm
27What is a good example of this and how do resistant bacterium survive?
MRSA is a good example as it can mutuate and become stronger
1. MRSA enters the population
2. An antibiotic is administered and kills off the weaker bacteria
3. The resistant bacteria can then reproduce with no competition
28What is extinction?
when a species dies out
29What can cause extinction?
Habitat loss, overhunting, natural disasters, diseases, predators
30What are inherited disorders?
disorders that are passed down from the parents to the offspring; caused by dominant or recessive alleles
31What is polydactyly and what causes it?
having extra fingers or toes; caused by a heterozygous dominant allele
32What is cystic fibrosis and what is it caused by?
where the cell membranes are dysfunctional and affects the lungs with thick mucus; caused by homozygous recessive alleles