Science 40 terms 9-2 2024 June

• Chromosome

  A threadlike structure in a cell nucleus that carries hereditary information in the form of genes
• DNA

  Deoxyribonucleic Acid. A biological molecule found in the cell nucleus that carries genetic information
• Gene

  Segment of DNA located at a specific place on a chromosome; each contains information to produce proteins
• Heredity

  The passing on of traits from an individual to its offspring
• Nucleus

  An organelle that contains an organism's hereditary information and controls all the activities within a cell
• Trait

  A characteristic that can vary in size or form from individual to individual within a species; can be passed on from generation to generation
• Mutagen


  A substance or factor that can cause mutations in DNA
• Stages of the cell cycle

  • Interphase
  • Mitosis
  • Cytokinesis
• Interphase

  The first and longest stage of the cell cycle, in which cells carry out life functions and cells that divide prepare for cell division
• Mitosis


  The second, and shortest, stage of the cell cycle; the process in which the duplicated genetic material from the cell's nucleus is divided between two daughter cells
• Cytokinesis

  The final stage of the cell cycle, which separates the two nuclei and cell contents into two daughter cells
• Replication


  The process during which the cell copies the 3 billion base pairs of DNA information in the nucleus
• Asexual Reproduction

  Reproduction that requires only one parent and produces offspring that are genetic copies of the parent
• Binary Fission

  A form of asexual reproduction in which a single parent cell replicates its genetic material and divides into two equal parts
• Budding

  A form of sexual reproduction; occurs when part of a cell pushes outward to form an outgrowth or bud that may or may not detach from the parent cell
• Fragmentation

  A form of asexual reproduction in which each fragment of an organism develops into a clone of its parent
• Spore

  A reproductive cell that grows into a new individual by mitosis
• Vegetative Reproduction


  Reproduction in which special cells, usually in plant stems and plant roots, divide repeatedly to form structures that will eventually develop into a plant identical to the parent
• Embryo

  A stage of a multicellular organism that develops from a zygote
• Fertilization


  The process during which an egg cell is penetrated by a sperm cell and the haploid genetic information of both male and female gametes combines
• Gametes

  Specialized cells necessary for reproduction; in animals, male gametes are called sperm cells and female gametes are called egg cells
• Genetic Diversity


  Inherited genetic differences in a species that give many organisms a survival advantage
• Meiosis

  The process that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes as body cells
• Sexual Reproduction


  Reproduction that requires two parents and produces offspring that are genetically different from each other, from either parent, and from any other member of their species
• Zygote

  The new diploid cell formed by the process of fertilization; receives half its chromosomes from its female parent and half from its male parent
• Metamorphosis

  A change in the form of an insect as it matures
• Pollination


  The transfer of male gametes in pollen from the male reproductive part of a plant to the female reproductive part of a plant
• Cervix

  Lower portion of the uterus; opening through which sperm pass as they enter the uterus; dilates to allow delivery of a baby
• Fetus


  The stage of a multicellular organism that develops from an embryo
• Ovary

  One of two female sex glands that are connected to the uterus by the fallopian tubes; produces mature ova and female hormones
• Oviduct


  The passageways that connect the ovaries to the uterus; an egg is fertilized in one of the oviducts before moving into the uterus; also called fallopian tubes
• Penis


  The tube-like male reproductive organ that contains the urethra, which delivers sperm and excretes urine
• Scrotum


  A loose sac of skin that hangs below the penis and contains the testes; protects the testes, maintaining them at a cooler temperature than the body core
• Testes


  The male sex glands, which produce male gametes and release hormones
• Urethra

  The tube in the penis through which urine or sperm passes as it leaves the body
• Uterus


  The hollow female reproductive organ that protects and nourishes the zygote during development
• Vagina

  The tube through which a baby or an unfertilized egg leaves the body; passageway through which sperm reach the cervix
• Vas Deferens


  A long muscular tube in which sperm mix with fluids to form semen as the sperm move from the testes to the urethra
• Genome

  The entire set of genetic information stored within the chromosomes of an organism
• Syndrome

  A particular disease or disorder with a specific group of symptoms that occur together