Biology

Genome- The genetic material of an organism, includes genes and non-coding DNA

Heterozygous- When one allele is capital and the other is capital/ AKA opposite forms

Genotype- Genetic code of your cells/the genetic construction of an individual organism

Mutations- A change in a DNA sequence

Chromosome- A threadlike structure of proteins found in the nucleus of most living cells Screenshot 2020-01-10 at 6.39.48 PM

Genes- The DNA or RNA that encodes the synthesis of a gene product

Proteins- Naturally occuring substances that consist of amino acids- (Molecule/Pigment/compound)

Traits- A feature of an organism

Variations- The occurence of an organism in more than one distinct color or form

Adaptations- Any alteration in the function of an organism in which the organism becomes better fitted to survive

Homozygous Dominant- When two alleles are written in capital letters/ ex. HH

Homozygous Recessive- When both are written in lowercase letters/ex. hh

Dominant alleles-A variation of a gene that will produce a certain phenotype even when other alleles are present/It dominates over the other alleles. Ex. HH/Hh

Recessive alleles-A variety of the genetic code that does not show/create a certain phenotype if a dominant allele is present. EX. hh

Punnett square- A square diagram used to predict the genotypes of a particular breeding experiment Screenshot 2020-01-09 at 7.35.56 PM

Phenotype- The physical expression of your genotype/ex. Black hair

Sexual reproduction- The process in which two organisms are created by combining the genetic information from two individuals of different sexes. Advantages- Genetic variation and less of a chance of passing on genetic diseases. Disadvantages- Takes a while and requires two partners

Aexual reproduction- offspring are born from one organism Advantages- Only requires one person/organism and offspring goes quick
Disadvantages- Less genetic variation and if there is a disease that kills on member, then it will get passed on.

Good Mutations- A mutation that is beneficial to the creature in question.
Examples- A mutation that changes the animal's fur color to help it blend in with its surroundings and hide from predators. Another example is a mutation that makes said creature more attractive during mating season.

Bad mutations-A mutation that is harmful to an animal. Ex. Making the creature's fur color more visible to predators therefore making it more of a target. Also, the animal having some sort of mutation where it is not able to reproduce

Neutral mutations-a mutation where the animal is not put into a position where its life is at risk. Ex. albinism-see science world article on animals with albinism- or having a speech impediment. Another example could be dimples- see NewELA article, " cute features caused by gene mutations"-

Natural selection- The process where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring/ Example- Tree frogs are sometimes eaten by snakes and birds

Artificial selection- The artificial process where the selection is done favoring the desired characters in the new organisms. Examples- Cloning Dogs and Crispr/CAS9