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Genetics Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Gene | a segment of DNA that codes for a particular protein, which in turn codes for a trait or characteristics; (the gene of 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 |
| Diploid | cells with two copies of each chromosome, having received one copy from each parent |
| Haploid | cells with only one copy of each chromosome |
| Somatic Cell | a regular body cell of an organism, contains 2n -diploid |
| Gamete | a sex cell of an organism (sperm or egg)that contains only one copy on an allele for a given trait 2n- diploid |
| Homologous Chromosome | the two copies of each chromosome in a diploid cell |
| Dominant | the stronger form of an allele that us always expressed, represented by an upper case letter R |
| Recessive | the weaker form of an allele that is hidden by the dominant allele if it is present, represented by a lower case letter r |
| Homozygous | an allelic combination where both alleles are dominant (RR) or both alleles are 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 |
| Genotype | the actual genetic makeup of an organism |
| Cross | refers to the purposeful reproduction of two organisms |
| Probability | the likelihood or chance or getting an offspring with certain characteristics |