Genetics and Reproduction Vocabulary

Sexual reproduction A form of reproduction that involves the fusion of both male and female cells (gametes) to create unique and different offspring. DNA exchange takes place

Asexual reproduction A form of reproduction where only one parent is needed, and the offspring is an exact or identical copy of the parent. There is no exchange of DNA and no variety

Types of Asexual Reproduction: Binary Fission When one cell splits into 2 parts and each new cell contains identical copies of DNA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLJrvoX_qo

Types of asexual reproduction: Budding The formation of a growth of an organism that can separate and become a new individual organism

Why be asexual? Fast reproduction Don’t have to spend time or energy looking for a mate If you live in a place without a lot of mate options you don’t have to worry if you can reproduce Lots of offspring (kids) in short period of time

Why reproduce sexually Offspring will all be genetically different The variation of offspring will allow them to survive in different situations and environments

Asexual Reproduction Sexual Reproduction # of parents 1 (no gender or female) 2: male and female Genes of offspring Identical Clone of parent Mixture of both parents Time Many kids very quickly (minutes) 1 or few kids very slowly (months) Cells required 1 cell turns to 2 2 cells merge into 1 Why Beneficial Fast, and no need for mates Not a lot of energy Offspring more likely to survive in different environements

DAY 2

Trait A characteristic, quality, or feature of something

Inherited trait traits that were inherited in an organism’s genes and DNA. They were received from their parents

Acquired Trait A trait that is learned, acquired or developed by an organism- Not resulting from genes

Amputation (lost limb) Inherited Vs. Acquired Allergies intelligence Inherited Acquired Both weight Cancer Height Cold or flu Eye color Personality Skin color Talents Blood Type ABO/AB Amputation (lost limb)

DAY 3

Gene a specific section of DNA that codes for a protein or a trait

Allele an alternative form of a gene (an option for a gene) Gene= eye color Allele= blue, green, brown, gray Gene= Hairline Allele= Striaght, widow’s peak

Dominant allele The allele that will always show up in the Physical appearance if it is present Represented by a capital letter (R)

Recessive Allele The allele that will only show up in the phenotype if there is not dominant allele Represented by a lowercase letter (r)

Genotype The combination of alleles- or the genes an organism possesses 3 possibilities Two dominant (1 from Dad 1from mom= RR) Two Recessive (1 from Dad 1 from mom = rr) 1 of each (1 from either mom or dad Rr)

Phenotype The physical appearance of an organism’s genes