MS-LS3-1: Genetic Mutations and Effects

Front

Heredity Noun

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[huh-red-i-tee]

Back

Heredity

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The passing of traits from parents to offspring through genetic information, determining an organism's characteristics.

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Example: The image shows how traits are passed from parent plants to offspring through cross-pollination, demonstrating heredity.

Front

Trait Noun

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[trayt]

Back

Trait

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A specific characteristic of an organism, such as eye color or height, which is determined by its genes.

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Example: This image shows different eye colors, demonstrating how traits like eye color vary among individuals.

Front

Selective Breeding Noun

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[suh-lek-tiv bree-ding]

Back

Selective Breeding

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The process where humans choose organisms with valuable traits to breed, aiming to produce offspring with those same traits.

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Example: Selective breeding shown by cross-pollinating flowers to produce offspring with desired traits.

Front

Inheritance Noun

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[in-hair-i-tans]

Back

Inheritance

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The process by which genetic information and specific traits are passed on from one generation to the next.

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Example: The image shows how traits are inherited in pea plants through cross-pollination, demonstrating genetic inheritance.

Front

Chromosome Noun

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[kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Chromosome

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A structure found inside the nucleus of a cell, made of a long, tightly coiled DNA molecule.

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Example: A chromosome inside a cell's nucleus, showing its DNA structure.

Front

Nucleus Noun

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[noo-klee-uhs]

Back

Nucleus

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The control center of a cell that contains the chromosomes and all of the genetic material.

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Example: The image shows the nucleus with labeled parts like chromatin and nucleolus, explaining its role as the cell's control center.

Front

Sex Cell Noun

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[seks sel]

Back

Sex Cell

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A reproductive cell, like an egg or sperm, that contains half the number of chromosomes as a body cell.

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Example: A sperm cell diagram showing its parts, like the nucleus and tail, which are essential for reproduction.

Front

Meiosis Noun

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[my-oh-sis]

Back

Meiosis

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A special type of cell division that produces sex cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

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Example: This diagram shows how meiosis divides a cell into four sex cells with half the chromosomes.

Front

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Noun

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[dee-en-ay]

Back

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

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The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living things.

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Example: The image shows DNA's double helix structure with labeled nitrogenous bases, illustrating genetic instructions.

Front

Double Helix Noun

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[dub-uhl hee-liks]

Back

Double Helix

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The twisted-ladder shape of a DNA molecule, formed by two parallel strands of nucleotides.

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Example: The image shows the twisted-ladder shape of DNA, highlighting the sugar-phosphate backbone and base pairs.