Essential Terminology
Adaptation
structures, functions, or behaviors that enable a species to survive. Adaptations are
expressions of the organisms’ genetic information
Alleles
different forms of a single gene
Archaea
one of the 3 domains, microorganisms that are prokaryotic and have cell walls, more
simple than bacteria; not sensitive to antibiotics that affect Bacteria; most live in
extreme environments, may be the oldest organisms on Earth; includes methanogens,
extreme halophiles, thermophiles; contains the kingdom Archaebacteria
Bacteria
one of the 3 domains, prokaryotic microorganisms that have a cell wall, sensitive to
antibiotics, contains the kingdom Eubacteria, which includes cyanobacteria and E. coli
Chromosome
coiled structure of DNA and protein that forms in the cell nucleus during cell division
Cross-pollination
the process used to transfer pollen from one flower to the stigma to another. This allows
for the selective breeding of two plants with different traits that may produce hybrid
offspring with desirable traits
Domain
highest level of classification including Eukarya, Bacteria and Archaea
Eukarya
eukaryotic organisms: contains the 4 kingdoms of Protist, Fungus, Plant and Animal
Dominant Trait
trait observed when at least one dominant allele for a characteristic is inherited
DNA
deoxiyribonuclic acid; heredity material that controls all the activities of a cell, contains
the information to make new cells, and provides instruction for making proteins
Extinct
describes a species of organism that has died out completely
Evolution
the process by which populations accumulate inherited changes over time
Gene
segments of DNA that carry hereditary instructional and are passed from parent to
offspring; located on chromosomes
Generation
body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor
Genotype
the inherited combination of alleles
Genetics
branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms
Genetic
Engineering
directed alteration of genetic material by intervention in genetic
processes
Heredity
passing of traits from parent to offspring
Heterozygous
having the two alleles at corresponding loci on homologous
one or more loci
chromosomes different for
Homozygous
having the two genes at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes identical for
one or more loci
Hybrid
offspring of two animals or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species, or genera
Kingdom
level of classification under domain; contains 6 kingdoms (Archaebacteria, Eubacteria,
Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia)
Meiosis
cell division that produces sex cells
Mutation
a change in the order of the bases in an organism’s DNA. Deletion, insertion or
substitution are examples
Natural Selection
the process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce at a higher
rate than organisms without that favorable trait
Pedigree
a diagram of family history used for tracing a trait through several generations
Phenotype
an organism’s inherited appearance
Punnet Square
an n x n square used in genetics to calculate the frequencies of the different genotypes
and phenotypes among the offspring of a cross
Recessive Trait
trait that is apparent only when two recessive alleles for the same characteristic are
inherited
Selective breeding
the breeding of organisms that have a specific desirable trait
Trait
distinguishing quality that can be passed from one generation to another
Essential Terminology
Adaptation
Alleles
Archaea
Bacteria
Bilateral Symmetry
Binomial Nomenclature
Chromosome
Classification
Cross-pollination
Dichotomous Key
DNA
Domain
Dominant Trait
Double Helix
Eukarya
Evolution
Extinct
Gene
Generation
Genetic Engineering
Genetics
Genotype
Heredity
Heterozygous/Hybrid
Homozygous/Purebred
Inherited Trait
Kingdom
Meiosis
Mutation
Natural Selection
Nitrogenous Bases
Pedigree
Phenotype
Phylum/Division
Protein
Punnet Square
Radial Symmetry
Recessive Trait
Scientific Name
Selective breeding
Species
Taxonomy
Trait
Variation
Essential Terminology
Adaptation
Alleles
Archaea
Bacteria
Bilateral Symmetry
Binomial Nomenclature
Chromosome
Classification
Cross-pollination
Dichotomous Key
DNA
Domain
Dominant Trait
Double Helix
Eukarya
Evolution
Extinct
Gene
Generation
Genetic Engineering
Genetics
Genotype
Heredity
Heterozygous/Hybrid
Homozygous/Purebred
Inherited Trait
Kingdom
Meiosis
Mutation
Natural Selection
Nitrogenous Bases
Pedigree
Phenotype
Phylum/Division
Protein
Punnet Square
Radial Symmetry
Recessive Trait
Scientific Name
Selective breeding
Species
Taxonomy
Trait
Variation
Essential Terminology
Adaptation
Alleles
Archaea
Bacteria
Bilateral Symmetry
Binomial Nomenclature
Chromosome
Classification
Cross-pollination
Dichotomous Key
DNA
Domain
Dominant Trait
Double Helix
Eukarya
Evolution
Extinct
Gene
Generation
Genetic Engineering
Genetics
Genotype
Heredity
Heterozygous/Hybrid
Homozygous/Purebred
Inherited Trait
Kingdom
Meiosis
Mutation
Natural Selection
Nitrogenous Bases
Pedigree
Phenotype
Phylum/Division
Protein
Punnet Square
Radial Symmetry
Recessive Trait
Scientific Name
Selective breeding
Species
Taxonomy
Trait
Variation