DNA and genetics

• DNA

  Controls the way you look and how your body functions
• Nucleotide

  Building blocks that make up the DNA, consisting of sugar group, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base
• Chargaff's rule

  Base pairing rule: Adenine pairs with Thymine, Guanine pairs with Cytosine
• Genes

  Sections of DNA arranged along the chromosomes
• Sex chromosomes

  Determines your gender
• Autosome chromosomes

  Carries genetic codes or genes
• Chromosomes

  Condensed structures made of DNA molecules containing genes
• Centromere

  Structure in a chromosome that holds the two chromatids together
• Double helix


  'Spiral staircase' shape of a DNA molecule
• Sex-linked genes

  Genes found on sex chromosomes
• Mutations

  Mistakes in DNA base sequence
• Silent mutation


  A mutation that does not affect the individual as the mistake still codes for the correct protein
• Missense mutation


  Results in the production of a wrong protein, which may not function properly or can cause disease
• Nonsense mutation


  Causes the gene to stop being read, leading to an incomplete non-functional protein
• Frameshift mutation


  Insertion or deletion of one or more bases in the DNA sequence, causing subsequent information to be jumbled
• Mutagens


  Agents that cause mutations
• Replication


  The process of copying DNA
• Chromatin


  Unwound DNA
• Chromatids


  Two thread-like strands into which a chromosome divides during mitosis
• Sister chromatids


  Two identical copies of a chromatid
• Spindle fibers


  Control the movement and separation of chromosomes during mitosis
• Centriole


  Aids in the formation of spindle fibers
• Interphase


  Cell growth phase in preparation for cell division
• Prophase


  Chromosomes condense and nuclear membrane breaks down
• Metaphase

  Chromosomes align in the middle of the dividing cell
• Anaphase

  Chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell
• Telophase


  Chromosomes decondense and nuclear membrane reforms
• Cytokinesis


  Division of the parent cell into two identical daughter cells
• Asexual reproduction


  Production of offspring from a single parent organism
• Gametes

  Sex cells
• Germ cells

  Found in reproductive organs
• Diploid

  Having two copies of each chromosome
• Haploid

  Having one copy of each chromosome
• Crossing over


  Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes
• Homologous chromosomes

  Pair of paternal and maternal chromosomes inside a cell
• Prophase II


  Formation of a new spindle fiber around the chromosomes
• Metaphase II


  Chromosomes align at the equator
• Anaphase II


  Separation and movement of chromatids to opposite poles
• Telophase II


  Each cell produces two new cells, resulting in a total of four cells
• Genotype


  Collection of alleles that determine characteristics