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Biology 1010 - 002

Fall 2011


Definitions

You must know these "word for word."

Allele - alternative forms of a gene that occur at the same gene locus on homologous chromosomes

Codon - three consecutive nucleotides on a strand of mRNA which code for an amino acid

Enzyme - A polymer of amino acids which acts as a biological catalyst, lowering the activation energy of reactions, and remaining unchanged or unused in the process

Evolution - Changes in gene frequencies in a population over time

Gene - a sequence of DNA nucleotides that codes for a specific polypeptide

Hardy-Weinberg Principle - the frequencies of alleles in a population will remain constant unless acted upon by outside agents or forces

Homologous chromosomes - Corresponding chromosomes, one from each parent, which contain the same genes

Law of Independent Assortment - the inheritance of a pair of factors for one trait is independent of the simultaneous inheritance of factors for other traits, such factors assort independently, as though no other factors were present

Law of segregation - hereditary characteristics are determined by discrete factors that appear in pairs, one pair being inherited from each parent. During the production of sex cells the pairs of factors are separated or segregated into different gametes

Locus – the physical location of a gene on a chromosome

Natural Selection - differential reproduction and survival

Population - a group of interbreeding individuals of the same species sharing a common geographical area

Theory - a hypothesis supported by a great deal of evidence which stands the test of time, often tested and never rejected

Species - a group of populations that have the potential to interbreed in nature and produce viable offspring