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Genetics Vocab-AB
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Gene | A segment of DNA that codes for a particular protein, which in turn codes for a trait of characteristic, i.e. the gene for height |
| Chromosome | Composed of genes; when an organism reproduces the chromosome is what carries the genetic information from parent to offspring |
| Allele | The two forms of a gene; i.e. the tall allele and the short allele for height |
| Diploid | Cells with two copies of each chromosome, having received only one copy from each parent, 2n |
| Haploid | Cells with only one copy of each chromosome, n |
| Somatic Cell | A regular body cell of an organism, contains 2n-diploid |
| Gamete | The sex cell of an organism(sperm of egg) that contains only one copy of an allele for a given trait, contains n, haploid |
| Homologous Chromosome | The two copies of each chromosome in a diploid cell |
| Dominant | The stronger form of the allele that is always expressed; represented by an upper case (R) |
| Recessive | The "weaker" form of an allele that is hidden by the dominant allele if it is present, represented by a lower case (r) |
| Homozygous | An allelic combination where both alleles are dominant (RR) or recessive(rr), also called true breeding |
| Heterozygous | An allelic combination where one of each type of allele is present (Rr), also called a hybrid |
| Phenotype | The physical appearance for an organism, i.e. tall or short |
| Genotype | The actual genetic makeup of an organism, i.e. RR, rr, or Rr |
| Cross | Refers to the purposeful reproduction of two organism, for example you cross a tall plant with a short one |
| Probability | The likelihood or chance of getting an offspring with a certain characteristic |