asexual reproduction
reproduction of a genetically identical plant using mitosis
Evolution
the change in genetic composition of a population over successive generations caused by natural selection, artificial selection, inbreeding, hybridization, and mutation
natural selection
A process in which individuals that have advantageous traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals
Adaptation
the adjustment or changes in the structure or function of an organism to become better suited to an environment
artificial selection
a process of intentional breeding of plants with desirable traits
Phenotype
An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.
Genotype
An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.
gene
sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait
gene locus
specific location of a gene on a chromosome
Alleles
alternative versions of a gene found at the same gene locus
homologous chromosomes
a pair of nonidentical chromosomes that code for the same genes
Meiosis
cell division that separates the homologous chromosomes in diploid cells to form haploid cells (gametes)
fertilization
the recombination of haploid cells (gametes) to form a new organism (zygote)
diploid cells
Cells that contain homologous chromosomes (2n)
Haploid cells
cells that have only one chromosome from each pair
Gametes
reproductive cells (n)
Zygote
a diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes
crossing over
Process in which homologous chromosomes exchange corresponding segments of DNA during meiosis
independent assortment
homologous chromosomes sort independently during metaphase of mitosis resulting in greater different allele combinations