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Chromosome
One of several rod-shaped bodies in the cell nucleus that contain the hereditary units (genes)
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Mitosis
The division of the cell nucleus resulting in two daughter nuclei, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.
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Meiosis
Process in which a 2n cell undergoes successive nuclear divisions, potentially producing four n nuclei; leads to formation of spores in plants.
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Allele
One of two or more alternative forms of a gene.
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Gene
A discrete unit of hereditary information that usually specifies a polypeptide (protein).
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Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
A nucleic acid present in a cell's chromosome that contains genetic information.
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Semiconservative replication
The type of replication characteristic of DNA, in which each new double-stranded molecule consists of one strand from the original DNA molecule and one strand of newly synthesized DNA.
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Modern Synthesis Theory
A comprehensive, unified explanation of evolution based on combining previous theories, especially of Mendelian genetics, with Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
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Systematics
The scientific study of the diversity of organisms and their natural (evolutionary) relationships.
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Phenotype
The physical expression of an individual's genes.
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Genotype
The genetic makeup of an individual.
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Homozygous
Possessing a pair of identical alleles for a particular gene. (ex: YY or yy)
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Heterozygous
Possessing a pair of unlike alleles for a particular gene. (ex: Yy)
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True breeding strain
A genetic strain of an organism in which all individuals are homozygous at the loci under consideration.
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Polygenes
One of two or more pairs of genes that affect the same character in additive fashion.
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Dominant
Said of an allele that is always expressed when it is present.
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Recessive
Said of an allele that is not expressed in the presence of a dominant allele.
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Pollination
In seed plants, the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma.
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Gene pool
All the alleles of all the genes in a freely interbreeding population.
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Species
A group of organisms with similar structural and functional characteristics that in nature breed only with one another and have a close common ancestry.
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Population
A group of organisms of the same species that live in a defined geographic area at the same time.
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Hormone
An organic chemical messenger that regulates growth and development in plants and other multicellular organisms.
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Auxin
A plant hormone involved in growth and development, including stem elongation, apical dominance, and root formation on cuttings.
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Ethylene
A gaseous plant hormone involved in growth and development, including leaf abscission and fruit ripening.
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Female floral parts
- Pistil (consisting of one or more carpels)
- Carpel: The ovule-bearing reproductive unit of a flower.
- Stigma, style, ovary, ovules
- refer to pg. 177
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Male floral parts
- Stamen: the pollen-producing part of a flower.
- Pollen grain: each will produce two sperm cells and a pollen tube
- Anther, filament
- refer to pg. 177
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Gregor Mendel - Father of Genetics
- (1822 –1884)
- Catholic Monk, observed similarities from parental pea plants to next generation (F1 & F2).
- Understood that there was something determining predictable inheritance.
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Charles Darwin & Evolution
- 1836 Returned from his travels on the Beagle and all the pictures, notes and OBSERVATION.
- Theory that the different finches he saw throughout the Galapagos islands could have originated from a common ancestor.
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Natural selection
Mechanism of evolution in which individuals with inherited characteristics well suited to the environment leave more offspring than do individuals that are less suited to the environment.
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Adaptation
An evolutionary modification that improves an organism’s chances of survival and reproductive success.
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Segregating alleles
The Law of Segregation of Alleles according to Mendel is that, allele pairs separate (or segregate) during gamete formation, and randomly unite at fertilization.
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Genetic variation
- Variations of genomes between members of species, or between groups of species thriving in different parts of the world as a result of genetic mutation.
- Genetic diversity in a population or species as a result of new gene combinations (e.g. crossing over ofchromosomes), genetic mutations, genetic drift, etc.
- Important in maintaining biodiversity among species.
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