Word Glossary- Test Page

Glossary on words related to Biodiversity, Genetics, Biotechnology, Atavism, Epigenetics, and Evolution.

All the words and their definitions are collected from Google.

 

Glossary Words———–

Biodiversity  Ecosystem  Species  Habibat  Endangered Species

Biodiversity

Szene aus dem FEdA-Imagefilm: Zeichentrick-Animation von FEdA-Maskottchen Lucy im Überflug über eine Wiese.
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FEdA
  1. Biodiversity- The variety of life in all its forms, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within species.
  2. Ecosystem- A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning as a system.
  3. Species- A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions.
  4. Habitat- The natural environment where a species or community of organisms lives and grows.
  5. Endangered Species- A species that is at serious risk of extinction across all or a significant portion of its range.
  6. Extinction- The permanent loss of all individuals of a species, resulting in its disappearance from the planet.
  7. Invasive Species- Non-native species that spread rapidly in a new environment, often harming native biodiversity and ecosystems.
  8. Conservation- The protection, preservation, and sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity to prevent degradation and loss.
  9. Genetic Diversity- The variety of genetic information within and between populations of species, contributing to adaptability and resilience.
  10. Ecological Niche- The role and position a species has in its environment, including how it gets its energy and nutrients and how it interacts with other organisms.

Genetics

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  1. Gene- A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein or performing a specific function in the body.
  2. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)- The molecule that carries genetic information in most living organisms; it is composed of nucleotide sequences.
  3. Chromosome- A thread-like structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information; humans typically have 46 chromosomes.
  4. Allele- One of two or more different versions of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
  5. Genotype- The genetic makeup of an organism; the specific set of alleles an organism possesses.
  6. Phenotype- The observable traits or characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
  7. Mutation- A change in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can lead to variation in traits and sometimes to disease.
  8. Heredity– The passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring.
  9. Genome- The complete set of DNA (including all of its genes) in an organism.
  10. Dominant Trait- A trait that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy of the gene (allele) is present.
  11. Recessive Trait- A trait that is only expressed in the phenotype when two copies of the gene (alleles) are present.

Biotechnology

  1. Biotechnology- The use of living organisms, cells, or biological systems to develop products and technologies for human use, particularly in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
  2. Genetic Engineering- The direct manipulation of an organism’s DNA to alter its characteristics, often by adding, deleting, or modifying genes.
  3. Recombinant DNA- DNA molecules that are artificially created by combining DNA from two or more different sources.
  4. Cloning- The process of producing genetically identical copies of an organism, cell, or DNA sequence.
  5. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)- A technique used to amplify small segments of DNA, making millions of copies for analysis or testing.
  6. GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)- An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques for desired traits.
  7. Bioreactor- A vessel or device in which biological reactions occur, commonly used to grow organisms like bacteria or yeast under controlled conditions for biotechnology applications.
  8. CRISPR-Cas9- A powerful genome-editing tool that allows scientists to cut and modify specific DNA sequences with precision.
  9. Transgenic Organism- An organism that contains genes from another species inserted into its genome through biotechnology.
  10. Fermentation- A biotechnological process that uses microorganisms to convert organic compounds (like sugars) into products such as alcohol, acids, or gases

Atavism

  1. Atavism- The reappearance of a trait from a distant evolutionary ancestor that had disappeared in recent generations. For example, a human born with a tail-like structure.
  2. Vestigial Structures- Anatomical features that were fully functional in ancestors but are now reduced and functionless (or minimally functional) in modern species. Example: human appendix or wisdom teeth.
  3. Evolutionary Reversal- A process in which an organism reverts to an ancestral trait, often due to changes in the regulation or expression of genes.
  4. Ancestral Trait- A characteristic that appeared in early members of a lineage and was passed down to descendants, sometimes re-emerging as an atavism.
  5. Phenotypic Expression- The observable traits or characteristics of an organism that result from the expression of its genes — including atavistic traits.
  6. Genetic Reawakening- A non-technical term used to describe the reactivation of dormant or suppressed genes that produce ancestral features.
  7. Suppressed Genes- Genes that are present in the genome but not normally expressed; sometimes these genes can be reactivated and cause atavistic traits.
  8. Hox Genes- A group of related genes that control the body plan of an embryo along the head-tail axis. Mutations or reactivations of these genes can sometimes result in atavisms.
  9. Phylogeny- The evolutionary history and relationships among species; understanding phylogeny helps explain the origin of atavistic traits.
  10. Pseudogene- A gene that resembles a functional gene but has lost its ability to code for a protein, sometimes capable of being reactivated in atavism.

Epigenetics

  1. Epigenetics- The study of changes in gene expression or cellular function that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence itself, but are still heritable during cell division.
  2. DNA Methylation- The addition of a methyl group (–CH₃) to DNA, typically at cytosine bases, which often represses gene activity or silences genes.
  3. Histone Modification- Chemical changes to the proteins (histones) around which DNA is wrapped; these changes can affect how tightly DNA is wound and thus influence gene expression.
  4. Chromatin Remodeling- The dynamic modification of the structure of chromatin (DNA + histone proteins), making genes more or less accessible for transcription.
  5. Gene Silencing- The regulation of gene expression in a way that prevents the expression of a gene; often caused by DNA methylation or histone changes.
  6. Epigenome- The complete set of epigenetic modifications on the genetic material of a cell, including methylation and histone changes.
  7. Non-Coding RNA (ncRNA)- RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins but can regulate gene expression epigenetically, such as microRNA and long non-coding RNA.
  8. Imprinting (Genomic Imprinting)- An epigenetic phenomenon where only one allele of a gene is expressed, depending on whether it is inherited from the mother or the father.
  9. Transcriptional Regulation- The control of when and how much a gene is expressed at the transcription level; often influenced by epigenetic changes.
  10. Environmental Epigenetics- The study of how environmental factors (like diet, stress, or toxins) can cause epigenetic changes that may affect an organism’s health and development.

Evolution

  1. Evolution- The change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations, driven by mechanisms like natural selection and genetic drift.
  2. Selection Pressure- A selection pressure is any external factor or environmental condition that affects an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce. It „pressures“ the population by favoring certain traits over others, leading to natural selection.
  3. Natural Selection- A process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to the next generation.
  4. Adaptation- A trait that increases an organism’s chances of survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
  5. Mutation- A change in the DNA sequence that can create genetic variation; some mutations may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.
  6. Speciation- The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution, usually due to genetic isolation.
  7. Genetic Drift- A random change in allele frequencies in a population, especially significant in small populations.
  8. Common Ancestor- An organism from which two or more different species are descended.
  9. Fossil Record- The preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past, used as evidence of how life has evolved over time.
  10. Homologous Structures- Body parts that are similar in structure and position but different in function, indicating common ancestry (e.g., the forelimbs of humans, bats, and whales).