| A | B |
|---|
| alternation of generations | a multicellular diploid form |
| asexual reproduction | involving only one parent that produces genetically identical offspring |
| autosome | chromosome that is not directly involved in determining sex |
| chiasma | microscopically visible region representing homologous chromatids that have exchanged genetic material through crossing over |
| clone | genetically identical individuals or cells |
| crossing over | reciprocal exchange of genetic material between nonsister chromatids during prophase I of meiosis |
| diploid cell | containing two sets of chromosomes (2n) |
| fertilization | union of haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote |
| gametophyte | multicellular haploid form that mitotically produces haploid gametes that unite and grow into the sporophyte |
| gene | discrete unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence |
| genetics | study of heredity and hereditary variation |
| haploid cell | containing only one set of chromosomes (n) |
| heredity | transmission of traits from one generation to the next |
| homologous chromosomes | chromosome of the same length |
| karyotype | arrangement of chromosome pairs by size and shape |
| life cycle | generation-to-generation sequence of stages in the reproductive history of an organism |
| locus | specific place along the length of a chromosome where a given gene is located |
| meiosis | results in cells with half the chromosome number of the original cell |
| meiosis I | first division of a two-stage process of cell division that results in cells with half the chromosome number of the original cell |
| meiosis II | second division of a two-stage process of cell division that results in cells with half the chromosome number of the original cell |
| recombinant chromosome | created when crossing over combines the DNA from two parents into a single chromosome |
| sex chromosome | chromosomes responsible for determining the sex of an individual |
| sexual reproduction | offspring that have unique combinations of genes inherited from the gametes of the two parents |
| spore | meiotically produced haploid cell that divides mitotically |
| sporophyte | multicellular diploid form that results from a union of gametes and that meiotically produces haploid spores |
| synapsis | pairing of replicated homologous chromosomes during prophase I |
| tetrad | paired set of homologous chromosomes |
| variation | Differences between members of the same species |
| zygote | diploid product of the union of haploid gametes in conception; a fertilized egg |
