Year 12 Biology Definitions

Definition of a Codon (choose BEST answer)

• A unit of 3 adjacent nucleotides in the messenger RNA (mRNA) that codes for a specific amino acid in the synthesis of a protein molecule.

• A unit of 3 nucleotides in the messenger RNA (mRNA) that codes for a specific amino acid in the synthesis of a protein molecule.

• A unit of 3 adjacent nucleotides in the messenger RNA (mRNA) that codes for a amino acid in the synthesis of a protein molecule.

• 3 nucleotides in the messenger RNA (mRNA) that codes for a amino acid in the synthesis of a protein molecule.

Definition of a Gene (choose best definition)

• A sequence in the DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and that determines a particular characteristic (trait) in an organism.

• DNA that occupies a location on a chromosome and that determines a particular characteristic (trait) in an organism.

• A sequence in the DNA that determines a particular characteristic (trait) in an organism.

• A sequence in a specific location on a chromosome and that determines a particular organism.

"The process of making a copy of genetic information stored in a DNA stranded into a complementary strand of RNA"

The above definition describes:

• Gene Transcription

• Gene Translation

• Protein Synthesis

• Osmosis

"A unit of 3 successive nucleotides in a molecule of DNA that codes for a specific amino acid"

The above definition describes:

• Triplet

• Protein

• RNA

• DNA

"The process of translating the sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule to a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis"

The above definition describes:

• Gene Transcription

• Gene Translation

• Protein Synthesis

• Osmosis

What is an allele?

• 2 or more variants of a gene that have the same relative position on homologous chromosomes and are responsible of alternative characteristics

• A process during meiosis wherein 2 chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material

• Variation within a population in which few or no intermediate phentoypes fall between the extremes (i.e. Human Blood Types)

• Variation within a population in which a graded series of intermediate phentotype falls between the extremes (i.e Human Height)

What is crossing over?

• 2 or more variants of a gene that have the same relative position on homologous chromosomes and are responsible of alternative characteristics

• A process during meiosis wherein 2 chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material

• Variation within a population in which few or no intermediate phentoypes fall between the extremes (i.e. Human Blood Types)

• Variation within a population in which a graded series of intermediate phentotype falls between the extremes (i.e Human Height)

What is continuous variation?

• 2 or more variants of a gene that have the same relative position on homologous chromosomes and are responsible of alternative characteristics

• A process during meiosis wherein 2 chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material

• Variation within a population in which few or no intermediate phentoypes fall between the extremes (i.e. Human Blood Types)

• Variation within a population in which a graded series of intermediate phentotype falls between the extremes (i.e Human Height)

What is discontinuous variation?

• 2 or more variants of a gene that have the same relative position on homologous chromosomes and are responsible of alternative characteristics

• A process during meiosis wherein 2 chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material

• Variation within a population in which few or no intermediate phentoypes fall between the extremes (i.e. Human Blood Types)

• Variation within a population in which a graded series of intermediate phentotype falls between the extremes (i.e Human Height)

What is a chiasma?

• The point at which paired chromosomes contact during crossing over

• A process during meiosis wherein 2 chromosomes pair up and exchange segments of their genetic material

• Variation within a population in which few or no intermediate phentoypes fall between the extremes (i.e. Human Blood Types)

• Variation within a population in which a graded series of intermediate phentotype falls between the extremes (i.e Human Height)