PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Natural Selection, Homo Erectus, Archaic Humans
Document Summary
Chapter 3: genetic code is found in nucleus of cells. Genes - basic units of heredity; responsible for guiding process of creating proteins that make up physical structures and regulate development and physiological processes throughout the lifespan. Dna (deoxyribonucleic acid) - molecule formed in a double-helix shape that contains four nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine: each gene is a unique combination of these four nucleotides. Genotype - genetic makeup of an organism, the unique set of genes that comprise that individual"s genetic code. Phenotype - physical traits or behavioral characteristics that show genetic variation, eye color, shape and size of facial features, even personality. Down syndrome, trisomy on the 21st chromosome, although many others exist. If two corresponding genes at a given location on a pair of chromosomes are the same, they are referred to as homozygous. If the two genes differ, they are heterozygous.
