All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which environmental condition can trigger increased red blood cell production in humans?
Answer: Low oxygen at high altitude. Body compensates for reduced oxygen availability.
Flashcard 2: What term describes the genetic makeup that can influence traits?
Answer: Genotype. The complete set of genes an organism inherits.
Flashcard 3: Which term describes how different genotypes respond differently to the same environment?
Answer: Genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E). Different genetic variants respond uniquely to conditions.
Flashcard 4: Which nutrient deficiency is most directly linked to reduced hemoglobin production?
Answer: Iron deficiency. Iron is essential for hemoglobin synthesis.
Flashcard 5: What is the definition of gene expression?
Answer: Use of genetic information to make RNA and proteins. Process of turning genes into functional products.
Flashcard 6: Identify the correct conclusion: two plants with the same genotype differ in height in sun vs shade.
Answer: Environment influenced phenotype (phenotypic plasticity). Same genotype responds differently to light conditions.
Flashcard 7: What is acclimation?
Answer: Reversible phenotypic adjustment to environmental change. Short-term adjustment to environmental changes.
Flashcard 8: Which environmental factor most directly affects stomatal opening in many plants?
Answer: Water availability (drought) and humidity. Water stress triggers stomatal closure responses.
Flashcard 9: Which pigment allows plants to detect day length for photoperiod responses?
Answer: Phytochrome. Light-sensitive protein that measures day length.
Flashcard 10: What is photoperiodism?
Answer: Physiological response to day length. Plants use day length to time seasonal responses.
Flashcard 11: Which environmental factor can change plant growth form by altering gene expression patterns?
Answer: Light conditions (intensity and photoperiod). Light quality and duration regulate plant development.
Flashcard 12: Which infectious agent in pregnancy can cause congenital defects and hearing loss?
Answer: Rubella virus. Viral infection during pregnancy affects development.
Flashcard 13: Which teratogen is strongly associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
Answer: Alcohol (ethanol). Crosses placenta and damages developing brain tissue.
Flashcard 14: What is the definition of a teratogen?
Answer: An environmental agent that disrupts embryonic development. Chemical or physical factor causing birth defects.
Flashcard 15: Which human trait is a classic example of multifactorial inheritance with environmental effects?
Answer: Body mass (weight) or height. Many genes and nutrition both influence these traits.
Flashcard 16: What is the name of the trait pattern where many genes and environment both influence outcome?
Answer: Multifactorial trait. Multiple genes plus environment create complex patterns.
Flashcard 17: Which nutrient deficiency is most directly linked to reduced hemoglobin production?
Answer: Iron deficiency. Iron is essential for hemoglobin synthesis.
Flashcard 18: Which environmental factor during development can reduce adult height even with tall-parent genes?
Answer: Poor nutrition (especially protein and calories). Malnutrition limits growth despite genetic potential.
Flashcard 19: Which environmental factor most directly increases muscle size in a trained person?
Answer: Exercise (mechanical load and training). Resistance training stimulates muscle protein synthesis.
Flashcard 20: What pigment increases in human skin in response to UV exposure?
Answer: Melanin. Dark pigment that protects skin from UV damage.
Flashcard 21: Which environmental factor is most directly linked to tanning in humans?
Answer: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. UV light triggers melanin production as protection.
Flashcard 22: Which epigenetic change commonly reduces gene expression by tightening DNA packing?
Answer: DNA methylation. Chemical modification that silences gene transcription.
Flashcard 23: What is epigenetics?
Answer: Heritable changes in gene expression without DNA sequence change. Gene activity changes without altering DNA sequence.
Flashcard 24: What is the primary reason identical twins can show different phenotypes?
Answer: Different environments and epigenetic differences. Environment and gene regulation vary even with same DNA.
Flashcard 25: Which statement is correct: acquired characteristics are inherited or not inherited?
Answer: Not inherited (they do not change DNA sequence in gametes). Only changes in gamete DNA are passed to offspring.
Flashcard 26: What is the definition of an acquired characteristic?
Answer: A trait change due to environment, not inherited genetically. Traits gained during life, not passed to offspring.
Flashcard 27: Which term describes traits strongly influenced by environment, making them vary continuously?
Answer: Quantitative traits. Continuous variation due to environmental sensitivity.
Flashcard 28: Which option best describes why PKU requires a special diet despite being genetic?
Answer: Dietary phenylalanine level affects symptom development. Restricting substrate prevents toxic metabolite buildup.
Flashcard 29: Which environmental factor most directly influences the severity of lactose intolerance symptoms?
Answer: Amount of lactose consumed (diet). Symptom severity depends on dietary intake.
Flashcard 30: What is the definition of an environmental influence on a trait?
Answer: A non-genetic factor that affects phenotype expression. External conditions that modify how genes are expressed.