Genome:
Prokaryotes: In prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea, the
genome is usually a single circular DNA molecule. This DNA contains all the
genetic information needed for the organism's survival, growth, and
reproduction. Prokaryotic genomes are typically more compact and contain
fewer genes compared to eukaryotic genomes.
Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic genomes are typically larger and more complex
than prokaryotic genomes. They are contained within the nucleus of the cell
and are organized into multiple linear chromosomes. Eukaryotic genomes
also include non-coding DNA regions, such as introns, regulatory
sequences, and repetitive elements, in addition to protein-coding genes.
Chromosomes:
Structure: Chromosomes consist of DNA tightly coiled around proteins
called histones, forming a structure known as chromatin. During cell
division, chromatin condenses further into visible structures called
chromosomes. Each chromosome contains many genes, which are specific
sequences of DNA that encode proteins or functional RNA molecules.
Location: In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are found within the nucleus.
They are visible under a microscope during certain stages of the cell cycle,
particularly during mitosis and meiosis when they undergo condensation
and segregation into daughter cells.
Ploidy:
Haploid (n): Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes. They are
typically found in specialized cells involved in sexual reproduction, such as
gametes (sperm and egg cells). In humans, gametes are haploid, containing
23 chromosomes each. Diploid (2n): Diploid cells contain two sets of
chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Most somatic cells in the
human body are diploid. For example, human cells have 23 pairs of
chromosomes, resulting in a total of 46 chromosomes. Polyploidy: Some
organisms have more than two sets of chromosomes. For instance, triploid
organisms have three sets of chromosomes (3n), tetraploid organisms have
four sets (4n), and so on. Polyploidy can arise due to errors in cell division
or hybridization between different species, and it can have significant
effects on an organism's physiology and evolution.
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, Somatic cells are any cell in the body that is not a reproductive cell (i.e., not
a gamete). They make up the tissues, organs, and other parts of the body.
Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes. In
humans, somatic cells typically contain 46 chromosomes, organized into 23
pairs.
Gametes, on the other hand, are reproductive cells (sperm cells in males
and egg cells in females) that are involved in sexual reproduction. Gametes
are haploid, meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes. In humans,
gametes have 23 chromosomes, half the number found in somatic cells.
When a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell during sexual reproduction, the
resulting zygote will have the normal diploid chromosome number of 46,
with 23 chromosomes contributed from each parent.
Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that carry the same
genes, but not necessarily the same versions of those genes. They are found
in diploid cells, where each chromosome in the pair comes from one parent.
In other words, homologous chromosomes are similar in size, shape, and
genetic content, but may carry different alleles (versions of genes).
A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a
specific protein or RNA molecule, which in turn influences traits or
characteristics. Genes are the basic units of heredity and play a
fundamental role in determining an organism's traits.
A locus (plural: loci) refers to the specific physical location of a gene or DNA
sequence on a chromosome. It's essentially the address of a gene within the
genome.
Genetic traits are characteristics or features of an organism that are
determined by the genes it inherits from its parents. These traits can
encompass physical characteristics (like eye color or height), biochemical
characteristics (like blood type), or even behavioral traits (like personality
tendencies). Genetic traits result from the expression of specific genes at
certain loci on the chromosomes.
The cell cycle is the series of events that occur in a cell leading to its
division and duplication. It consists of several phases, including interphase,
mitosis (or meiosis in sexually reproducing organisms), and cytokinesis.
This study source was downloaded by 100000898062787 from CourseHero.com on 10-01-2025 00:02:06 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251439713/bio-exam-3-notesdocx/
Prokaryotes: In prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea, the
genome is usually a single circular DNA molecule. This DNA contains all the
genetic information needed for the organism's survival, growth, and
reproduction. Prokaryotic genomes are typically more compact and contain
fewer genes compared to eukaryotic genomes.
Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic genomes are typically larger and more complex
than prokaryotic genomes. They are contained within the nucleus of the cell
and are organized into multiple linear chromosomes. Eukaryotic genomes
also include non-coding DNA regions, such as introns, regulatory
sequences, and repetitive elements, in addition to protein-coding genes.
Chromosomes:
Structure: Chromosomes consist of DNA tightly coiled around proteins
called histones, forming a structure known as chromatin. During cell
division, chromatin condenses further into visible structures called
chromosomes. Each chromosome contains many genes, which are specific
sequences of DNA that encode proteins or functional RNA molecules.
Location: In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are found within the nucleus.
They are visible under a microscope during certain stages of the cell cycle,
particularly during mitosis and meiosis when they undergo condensation
and segregation into daughter cells.
Ploidy:
Haploid (n): Haploid cells contain one set of chromosomes. They are
typically found in specialized cells involved in sexual reproduction, such as
gametes (sperm and egg cells). In humans, gametes are haploid, containing
23 chromosomes each. Diploid (2n): Diploid cells contain two sets of
chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. Most somatic cells in the
human body are diploid. For example, human cells have 23 pairs of
chromosomes, resulting in a total of 46 chromosomes. Polyploidy: Some
organisms have more than two sets of chromosomes. For instance, triploid
organisms have three sets of chromosomes (3n), tetraploid organisms have
four sets (4n), and so on. Polyploidy can arise due to errors in cell division
or hybridization between different species, and it can have significant
effects on an organism's physiology and evolution.
This study source was downloaded by 100000898062787 from CourseHero.com on 10-01-2025 00:02:06 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251439713/bio-exam-3-notesdocx/
, Somatic cells are any cell in the body that is not a reproductive cell (i.e., not
a gamete). They make up the tissues, organs, and other parts of the body.
Somatic cells are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes. In
humans, somatic cells typically contain 46 chromosomes, organized into 23
pairs.
Gametes, on the other hand, are reproductive cells (sperm cells in males
and egg cells in females) that are involved in sexual reproduction. Gametes
are haploid, meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes. In humans,
gametes have 23 chromosomes, half the number found in somatic cells.
When a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell during sexual reproduction, the
resulting zygote will have the normal diploid chromosome number of 46,
with 23 chromosomes contributed from each parent.
Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that carry the same
genes, but not necessarily the same versions of those genes. They are found
in diploid cells, where each chromosome in the pair comes from one parent.
In other words, homologous chromosomes are similar in size, shape, and
genetic content, but may carry different alleles (versions of genes).
A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a
specific protein or RNA molecule, which in turn influences traits or
characteristics. Genes are the basic units of heredity and play a
fundamental role in determining an organism's traits.
A locus (plural: loci) refers to the specific physical location of a gene or DNA
sequence on a chromosome. It's essentially the address of a gene within the
genome.
Genetic traits are characteristics or features of an organism that are
determined by the genes it inherits from its parents. These traits can
encompass physical characteristics (like eye color or height), biochemical
characteristics (like blood type), or even behavioral traits (like personality
tendencies). Genetic traits result from the expression of specific genes at
certain loci on the chromosomes.
The cell cycle is the series of events that occur in a cell leading to its
division and duplication. It consists of several phases, including interphase,
mitosis (or meiosis in sexually reproducing organisms), and cytokinesis.
This study source was downloaded by 100000898062787 from CourseHero.com on 10-01-2025 00:02:06 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/251439713/bio-exam-3-notesdocx/