Genetics is the study of
variation of inherited traits beyond generations
variation
traits in organisms that differ
traits
observable characteristics
genes
units of instruction for producing or influencing traits
gene pair
two genes at the same place on homologous chromosomes
allele
different forms of a gene
dominant allele
allele always expressed in capital letters
recessive allele
allele which is always represented by lower case letter.
Geneotype
the allele combination an organism contains
Phenotype
An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.
monohybrid cross
a cross in which only one characteristic is tracked
Punnett Square
A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross
biological evolution
Changes in the genetic composition of a population through successive generations.
Microevolution
evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period.
macroevelution
formation of new species. large changes, one kind evolves into another kind, not observable in nature
natural selection
more offspring produced than can survive so competition occurs.
Adaptation
A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce
selective breeding
the process of selecting organisms with desired traits to be parents of the next generation
ecology
Scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment
biotolic interaction
interaction among living things
abiotic interactions
interactions between organisms and their nonliving environment
scale of ecology: organismal
consists of physiological and behavioral.
scale of ecology: population
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scale of ecology: community
Succession - gradual and continuous change in species composition and community structure over time.
*Primary - succession on a newly exposed site not previously occupied by soil and vegetation
*Secondary - succession on a site that has already supported life, but has undergone a disturbance.
trophic level
each step in a food chain or food web
3 types of biodiversity
genetic, species, ecosystem
human induced causes of extinction
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conservation strategies
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single species approach to conservation
* indicator species - species whose status confirms the overall health of an ecosystem
* umbrella species - habitat requirement so large that protectinv them also protects other species.
* flagship species - large/instantly recognizable
*keystone species - species within a community that have a large effect in a community Beyond its level of abundance.
restoration ecology
the science that deals with the repair of damaged or disturbed ecosystems
rehabilitation
returning Habitat to something similar, but less than full restoration.
captive breeding
breeding of animals and plants to produce stock for release in the wild.