Genetics

• Species

  Organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
• Heredity

  The passing on of traits from parent to offspring by means of genes
• Gene Expression

  The process of using the information on the gene to make a protein
• Gene

  A unit of DNA which codes for the production of a specific protein
• DNA

  Deoxyribonucleic Acid - a double stranded nucleic acid
• RNA

  Ribonucleic Acid - a single stranded nucleic acid
• DNA profiling

  Examining DNA for a pattern or band that can be compared with a known sample
• Coding dna

  That part of the chromosome which carries the infomation to make a protein
• Non-coding dna

  That part of the chromosome which does not carry the infomation to make a protein
• Genetic screening

  Testing (people) for the presence of a (specific) gene or To establish presence or absence of gene(s)
• Transcription

  The process of producing mRNA using DNA as a template.
• Translation

  The process of making a protein using the mRNA code a template
• Pyrimidine Bases

  Adenine and Guanine are the two pyrimidine bases. They are single ring molecules
• Purine Bases

  Cytosine and Thymine are the two purine bases. They are double ring molecules
• mRNA

  Messenger RNA takes the complementary DNA strand out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm.
• tRNA

  Transfer RNA - As the mRNA moves through, tRNA molecules carrying the appropriate amino acid bind to the RNA codon to which they are matched, and the sequence of amino acids is put together.
• rRNA

  Ribosomal RNA - found in the ribosome and allow protein synthesis to occur
• Gamete

  A haploid sex cell which is capable of fusion
• Fertilisation

  The fusion of 2[haploid] gametes to form a [diploid] zygote
• Allele

  An alternative form of a gene
• Locus

  Is the position of a gene on a chromosome
• Homozygous

  Has identical alleles [for a trait]
• Heterozygous

  Has different alleles [for a trait]
• Genotype

  The genetic make-up of an individual
• Phenotype

  Physical appearance of an organism
• Progeny

  The offspring that are produced
• Dominance

  One allele masks the expression of the other.
• Recessive

  Allele whose expression is masked by dominant allele
• Incomplete Dominance

  Neither allele masks the expression of the other.
• Autosomes

  Non sex chromosomes
• Variation

  Difference between members of species or population
• Mutation

  Change in the genetic make up
• Mutagen

  An agent that causes a mutation
• Gene mutation

  Changes that occur in a single gene
• Chromosome mutation

  Large changes that occur in the structure or number of one or more chromosomes
• Genetic engineering

  Manipulation or alteration of genes
• Restriction Enzymes

  Enzymes that cut DNA
• DNA Ligase

  An enzyme that sticks DNA together
• Evolution

  (Inheritable) change within a population (or species) / in response to change in the environment / by natural selection/over time
• Natural Selection

  Is the process by which those organisms with genetically controlled characteristics that allow them to be well adapted to their environment will survive and reproduce and pass on their genes to the next generation