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LIFE SCIENCES DICTIONARY / BIOLOGICAL TERMS FOR GRADE 12
1 Nucleotide The building blocks (or monomers) of nucleic acid.
2 DNA Replication The process during which a DNA molecule makes an exact copy (replica)
3 Interphase The phase of meiosis through which DNA replication takes place.
4 DNA Replication Doubles the genetic material so it can be shared between the resulting daughter cells.
5 DNA Replication Results in the formation of identical daughter cells during mitosis.
6 DNA profile An arrangement of black bars representing DNA fragments of the person.
7 Protein synthesis The process by which proteins are made in each cell of an organism.
8 mRNA A bar code pattern formed from DNA
9 Peptide bond The bonds formed between amino acids
10 Hydrogen bond The bonds formed between two nitrogen bases.
11 Nuclear pore Openings in the nuclear membrane that allow mRNA to leave the nucleus
12 Hypothesis A tentative explanation of a phenomenon that can be tested
13 Biogeography The distribution of species in different parts of the world
14 Albinism The condition that results from the absence of skin pigmentation
14 Karyotype The complete set of chromosomes in the cell of an organism
16 Clone A copy of an organism that is genetically identical to the original organism
17 Cloning The process through which a copy of an organism that is genetically identical is formed.
18 Codon The nitrogen base triplets on the mRNA.
19 Anticodon The nitrogen base triplet on the tRNA.
20 The structure in the head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes which break down the
Acrosome
membrane surrounding the ovum
21 Meninges The membranes which protect the central nervous system.
22 Parasympathetic system The nervous system which consists of cranial and spinal nerves
23 Gibberellin A plant growth hormone that stimulates seed germination
24 Peripheral nervous system The nervous system which consists of cranial and spinal nerves
LIFE SCIENCE NSC CAPS GRADE 12 DICTIONARY
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25 The outermost extra-embryonic membrane surrounding the embryo acts as a surface
Chorion
for gas exchange.
26 Aldosterone The hormone that regulates the salt concentration in the human body
27 Umbilical vein The blood vessel in the umbilical cord that carries blood rich in oxygen and nutrients
Thyroid stimulating
The hormone inhibited by an increased level of thyroxin
28 hormone/TSH
29 Gestation The period of development of an embryo in the uterus, between fertilisation and birth
30 Recessive allele An allele that does not influence the phenotype when found in the heterozygous
condition.
31 Cloning The production of a genetically identical copy of an organism using biotechnology
32 Gene A section of a DNA molecule that codes for a specific characteristic
33 Theory An explanation for something that has been observed in nature and which can be supported by
facts, laws and tested hypotheses
34 Chromosome The structure that is made up of two chromatids joined by a centromere
35 Non disjunction The defect in cell division that leads to Down syndrome
36 Anaphase I The phase of meiosis during which homologous chromosomes separate and start moving
towards opposite poles
37 Punctuated equilibrium The explanation that species experience long periods without physical change, followed by short
periods of rapid physical change
38 Artificial selection The deliberate breeding of organisms for desirable characteristics selected by humans
39 Genetic engineering The manipulation of the genetic material of an organism to get desired changes
40 Monohybrid cross Only one characteristic or trait is being shown in the genetic cross
41 Hybrid cross Two characteristics or trait shown in the genetic cross
42 Centromere The structure that joins the two halves of a double-stranded chromosome
43 Prophase I The phase in meiosis where crossing over occurs
44 Chromatid One half of a double-stranded chromosome
45 Chiasma point of contact between two chromosomes of a homologous pair during crossing over
46 Daughter chromosome A single-stranded chromosome formed during Anaphase
LIFE SCIENCE NSC CAPS GRADE 12 DICTIONARY
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LIFE SCIENCES DICTIONARY / BIOLOGICAL TERMS FOR GRADE 12
1 Nucleotide The building blocks (or monomers) of nucleic acid.
2 DNA Replication The process during which a DNA molecule makes an exact copy (replica)
3 Interphase The phase of meiosis through which DNA replication takes place.
4 DNA Replication Doubles the genetic material so it can be shared between the resulting daughter cells.
5 DNA Replication Results in the formation of identical daughter cells during mitosis.
6 DNA profile An arrangement of black bars representing DNA fragments of the person.
7 Protein synthesis The process by which proteins are made in each cell of an organism.
8 mRNA A bar code pattern formed from DNA
9 Peptide bond The bonds formed between amino acids
10 Hydrogen bond The bonds formed between two nitrogen bases.
11 Nuclear pore Openings in the nuclear membrane that allow mRNA to leave the nucleus
12 Hypothesis A tentative explanation of a phenomenon that can be tested
13 Biogeography The distribution of species in different parts of the world
14 Albinism The condition that results from the absence of skin pigmentation
14 Karyotype The complete set of chromosomes in the cell of an organism
16 Clone A copy of an organism that is genetically identical to the original organism
17 Cloning The process through which a copy of an organism that is genetically identical is formed.
18 Codon The nitrogen base triplets on the mRNA.
19 Anticodon The nitrogen base triplet on the tRNA.
20 The structure in the head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes which break down the
Acrosome
membrane surrounding the ovum
21 Meninges The membranes which protect the central nervous system.
22 Parasympathetic system The nervous system which consists of cranial and spinal nerves
23 Gibberellin A plant growth hormone that stimulates seed germination
24 Peripheral nervous system The nervous system which consists of cranial and spinal nerves
LIFE SCIENCE NSC CAPS GRADE 12 DICTIONARY
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25 The outermost extra-embryonic membrane surrounding the embryo acts as a surface
Chorion
for gas exchange.
26 Aldosterone The hormone that regulates the salt concentration in the human body
27 Umbilical vein The blood vessel in the umbilical cord that carries blood rich in oxygen and nutrients
Thyroid stimulating
The hormone inhibited by an increased level of thyroxin
28 hormone/TSH
29 Gestation The period of development of an embryo in the uterus, between fertilisation and birth
30 Recessive allele An allele that does not influence the phenotype when found in the heterozygous
condition.
31 Cloning The production of a genetically identical copy of an organism using biotechnology
32 Gene A section of a DNA molecule that codes for a specific characteristic
33 Theory An explanation for something that has been observed in nature and which can be supported by
facts, laws and tested hypotheses
34 Chromosome The structure that is made up of two chromatids joined by a centromere
35 Non disjunction The defect in cell division that leads to Down syndrome
36 Anaphase I The phase of meiosis during which homologous chromosomes separate and start moving
towards opposite poles
37 Punctuated equilibrium The explanation that species experience long periods without physical change, followed by short
periods of rapid physical change
38 Artificial selection The deliberate breeding of organisms for desirable characteristics selected by humans
39 Genetic engineering The manipulation of the genetic material of an organism to get desired changes
40 Monohybrid cross Only one characteristic or trait is being shown in the genetic cross
41 Hybrid cross Two characteristics or trait shown in the genetic cross
42 Centromere The structure that joins the two halves of a double-stranded chromosome
43 Prophase I The phase in meiosis where crossing over occurs
44 Chromatid One half of a double-stranded chromosome
45 Chiasma point of contact between two chromosomes of a homologous pair during crossing over
46 Daughter chromosome A single-stranded chromosome formed during Anaphase
LIFE SCIENCE NSC CAPS GRADE 12 DICTIONARY
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