Key Terms: Module 1

Alleles: One or more alternative forms of a gene.

Amino acids: Molecules that form the basic building blocks of proteins.
Biological anthropology: The study of humans as biological organisms, considered
in an evolutionary framework; sometimes called physical anthropology.
Cell nucleus: The part of the cell in which the genetic material (DNA) is separated
from the rest of the cell by a plasma membrane.
Chromosome: Discrete structures composed of condensed DNA and supporting
proteins.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): A double-stranded molecule that is the carrier of
genetic information. Each strand is composed of a linear sequence of nucleotides; the
two strands are held together by bonds that form between complementary bases.
Diploid: Full complement of paired chromosomes in a somatic cell. In humans, the
diploid number is 46 (23 pairs of different chromosomes).
Dominant: In a diploid organism, an allele that is expressed when present on only
one of a pair of homologous chromosomes.
Gametes: The sex cells; sperm in males and eggs (or ova) in females.
Gene: The fundamental unit of heredity. Consists of a sequence of DNA bases that
carries the information for synthesizing a protein and occupies a specific
chromosomal locus.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual.
Haploid: The number of chromosomes found in a gamete, representing one from
each pair found in a diploid somatic cell. In humans, the haploid number is 23.
Heterozygous: Having two different alleles at the loci for a gene on a pair of
homologous chromosomes.
Homozygous: Having the same allele at the loci for a gene on both members of a
pair of homologous chromosomes.
Hypothesis: A preliminary explanation of a phenomenon. Hypothesis formation is the
first step of the scientific method.
Mendels law of independent assortment: Genes found on different chromosomes
are sorted into sex cells independently of one another.
Mendels law of segregation: The two alleles of a gene found on each of a pair of
chromosomes segregate independently of one another into sex cells.

Mitosis: Somatic cell division in which a single cell divides to produce two identical
daughter cells.
Meiosis: Cell division that occurs in the testes and ovaries that leads to the formation
of sperm and ova (gametes).
Natural Selection: Differential reproductive success over multiple generations.
Phenotype: An observable or measurable feature of an organism. Phenotypes can
be anatomical, biochemical, or behavioral.
Population: An interbreeding group of organisms.
Proteins: Complex molecules formed from chains of amino acids or from a complex
of polypeptides. They function as structural molecules, transport molecules,
antibodies, enzymes, and hormones.
Recessive: In a diploid organism, refers to an allele that must be present in two
copies (homozygous) in order to be expressed.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA): Single-stranded nucleic acid that performs critical functions
during protein synthesis and comes in three primary forms: messenger RNA, transfer
RNA, and ribosomal RNA.
Scientific method: Standard scientific research procedure in which a hypothesis is
stated, data are collected to test it, and the hypothesis is either supported or refuted.
Taxon: A group of organisms assigned to a particular category.
Taxonomy: The science of biological classification.