Chapter 13 Vocabulary Words Mr. Davis, M.Ed. Biology 2017

Amniocentesis A technique associated with prenatal diagnosis in which amniotic fluid is obtained by aspiration from a needle inserted into the uterus. Biology 2017

Biotechnology The manipulation of organisms or their components to produce useful products. Biology 2017

Carrier An individual who is heterozygous at a given genetic locus for a recessively inherited disorder or trait. Biology 2017

Chorionic Villi Sampling A technique associated with prenatal diagnosis in which a small sample of fetal portion of the placenta is removed for analysis. Biology 2017

Cloning The process of producing a clone that is genetically identical to the parental cells from which it was derived.

Differentiation The process by which a cell or group of cells becomes specialized in structure & function. Biology 2017

Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21) A human genetic disease caused by the presence of an extra pair of chromosome 21. Biology 2017

Forensics The application of scientific methods & techniques related to the investigation of crimes. Biology 2017

Gel Electrophoresis A technique for separating nucleic acids or proteins on the basis of their size & electrical charge. Biology 2017

Genetic Engineering The deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. Biology 2017

Gene Therapy The introduction of gene into an afflicted individual for therapeutic purposes. Biology 2017

Huntington’s Disease A human genetic disease caused by a dominant allele. Autosomal dominant mutations. Lack of coordination, jerky body movements, dementia, and symptoms begin between 30 & 50 yrs. old. Biology 2017

Hemophilia A human genetic disease caused by a sex-linked recessive allele resulting in the absence of the blood clotting factor & proteins. Biology 2017

Insulin A hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells that lowers blood glucose levels. Biology 2017

Karyotype A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size & shape. Biology 2017

Stem-Cell Unspecialized cell that can produce one identical daughter cell & one more specialized cell that can undergo differentiation. Biology 2017

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) A technique for amplifying DNA in vitro by incubating it with specific primers, DNA polymerase, & Nucleotides. Biology 2017

Pedigree A diagram of a family tree with symbols showing the occurrence of heritable characteristics in parents & off spring. Biology 2017

PKU (Phenylketonuria) Inherited disease that causes the inability to metabolize phenylalanine that causes brain & nerve damage. Biology 2017

Polygenic Trait Two or more genes on a single phenotypic trait. Biology 2017

Prenatal Development Process in which a human embryo and fetus develops during pregnancy from fertilization until birth. Biology 2017

Restriction Enzyme A enzyme that recognizes & cuts DNA molecules at specific nucleotides sequences. Biology 2017

Recombinant DNA A DNA molecule made in vitro with segments from different sources. Biology 2017

Selective Breeding The selective breeding of domesticated plants & animals to encourage the occurrence of desirable traits. Biology 2017

Sex-Linked Trait Trait that are genetic characteristics determined by genes located on the “X” chromosome. Biology 2017

Sex Chromosomes A chromosome responsible for determining the sex of an individual. Biology 2017

Sickle Cell Anemia A recessively inherited human blood disorder in which a single nucleotide change causes hemoglobin not to aggregate. Biology 2017

Transgenic Organism Organism whose genome contains a gene introduced from another organism. Biology 2017

Ultra sound A technique that reflects sound waves to produce an image of the fetus. Biology 2017

Plasmid A small circular double stranded DNA molecule that causes accessory genes to separate from the bacterial chromosome. Biology 2017