Science: Evolution & Genetics

Sarah (United States of America)
A must list for those who are interested in genetics
96 words 453 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. cladogram
    a tree diagram used to illustrate phylogenetic relationships
  2. diploid
    an organism or cell having the normal amount of DNA per cell
  3. allele
    any of the forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus
  4. haploid
    (genetics) an organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes
  5. phenotype
    observable characteristics produced by genes and environment
  6. gamete
    a mature sexual reproductive cell
  7. speciation
    the evolution of a biological species
  8. cnidarian
    radially symmetrical animals having saclike bodies with only one opening and tentacles with stinging structures; they occur in polyp and medusa forms
  9. monozygotic
    derived from a single fertilized egg
  10. karyotype
    the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes)
  11. cellular division
    the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form daughter cells
  12. polymerase
    an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of new DNA and RNA from an existing strand of DNA or RNA
  13. organelle
    a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ
  14. ribosome
    a particle in a cell that helps synthesize proteins
  15. RNA polymerase
    the enzyme that copies DNA into RNA
  16. lysosome
    a membrane-bound organelle containing digestive enzymes
  17. capsid
    the outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus
  18. mitosis
    the process by which a cell divides into two new cells
  19. cDNA
    single-stranded DNA that is complementary to messenger RNA or DNA that has been synthesized from messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase
  20. DNA
    material that carries genetic information in a cell
  21. mitochondrion
    part of a cell involved in energy production
  22. codon
    a specific sequence of three adjacent nucleotides on a strand of DNA or RNA that specifies the genetic code information for synthesizing a particular amino acid
  23. RNA
    a nucleic acid that helps synthesize proteins and transmit genetic data
  24. telomere
    either (free) end of a eukaryotic chromosome
  25. zygote
    a fertilized egg
  26. factor VIII
    a coagulation factor (trade name Hemofil) whose absence is associated with hemophilia A
  27. chromosome
    a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes
  28. meiosis
    cell division that produces reproductive cells
  29. commensalism
    when one organism benefits from another without damaging it
  30. biochip
    a microchip that uses tiny strands of DNA to latch onto and quickly recognize thousands of genes at a time; intended for use in a biological environment
  31. genotype
    the particular alleles present in an organism
  32. adenovirus
    any of a group of viruses including those that in humans cause upper respiratory infections or infectious pinkeye
  33. keratin
    a fibrous protein found in nails, hair, feathers, and hooves
  34. thymine
    a base found in DNA and derived from pyrimidine
  35. clotting factor
    any of the factors in the blood whose actions are essential for blood coagulation
  36. recessive gene
    gene that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical
  37. adenine
    purine base found in DNA and RNA
  38. genetic
    relating to the study of heredity and variation in organisms
  39. protein
    an organic compound essential to living cells
  40. arachnid
    an arthropod with simple eyes and four pairs of legs
  41. continental drift
    the gradual movement of very large land masses
  42. repressor
    an agent that represses
  43. ovule
    a small or immature ovum
  44. spermatozoon
    the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
  45. vector
    a quantity that has magnitude and direction
  46. parthenogenesis
    process in which an unfertilized egg develops
  47. genetics
    the study of heredity and variation in organisms
  48. arthropod
    invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body
  49. recessive
    of or pertaining to a recession
  50. organism
    a living thing that can act or function independently
  51. enzyme
    a complex protein produced by cells that acts as a catalyst
  52. Cambrian
    relating to or characteristic of Wales or its people or their language
  53. hereditary disease
    a disease or disorder that is inherited genetically
  54. recombinant
    relating to two molecules of DNA exchanging genetic material
  55. agronomist
    an expert in soil management and field-crop production
  56. geneticist
    a biologist who specializes in heredity
  57. hemophilia
    congenital tendency to uncontrolled bleeding
  58. in vitro
    in an artificial environment outside the living organism
  59. synthesize
    combine and form a complex whole
  60. cloning
    a general term for the research activity that creates a copy of some biological entity (a gene or organism or cell)
  61. hominid
    a member of a family of primate mammals that includes humans
  62. glandular
    relating to or affecting or functioning as a gland
  63. Neanderthal
    extinct robust human of Middle Paleolithic in Europe and western Asia
  64. evolutionary
    relating to the development of a species
  65. sizing
    any glutinous material used to fill pores in surfaces or to stiffen fabrics
  66. specie
    coins collectively
  67. radioactivity
    the discharge of particles or rays in nuclear decay
  68. catalyst
    substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
  69. transcription
    something written, copied from one medium to another
  70. dorsal
    on or near the back of an animal or organ
  71. stem cell
    an undifferentiated cell whose daughter cells may differentiate into other cell types (such as blood cells)
  72. mutation
    a change or alteration in form or qualities
  73. coral reef
    a reef consisting of coral consolidated into limestone
  74. archaeology
    the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people
  75. fossil
    the remains of a plant or animal from a past geological age
  76. shale
    a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay
  77. uterus
    a hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity of females
  78. hemorrhage
    the flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel
  79. asteroid
    a small celestial body composed of rock and metal
  80. pollen
    fine spores produced by flowers to fertilize other flowers
  81. natural selection
    a process in which organisms evolve to adapt to environment
  82. copying
    an act of copying
  83. heredity
    the transmission of genetic factors to the next generation
  84. regulating
    the act of controlling or directing according to rule
  85. gland
    a small organ that synthesizes and secretes chemicals
  86. adaptation
    the process of adjusting or conforming to new conditions
  87. spine
    the series of vertebrae forming the backbone
  88. strand
    a group of fibers twisted together to form a thread or rope
  89. certain
    established beyond doubt or question; definitely known
  90. explosion
    the act of bursting
  91. pass on
    place into the hands or custody of
  92. descendant
    a person considered as coming from some ancestor or race
  93. environment
    the totality of surrounding conditions
  94. variety
    a category of things distinguished by a common quality
  95. agent
    a representative who acts on behalf of others
  96. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
Created on Tue Mar 16 05:48:55 EDT 2010 (updated Tue Mar 16 06:12:38 EDT 2010)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.