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Genetics Vocabulary
5th Grade Science
Term | Definition |
---|---|
DNA | Short for deoxyribonucleic acid, the name of the molecule that carries genetic instructions for all living things. |
Genes | A basic physical unit made up of DNA that is passed from parents to their children. |
Genetics | The study of genes |
Genome | A copy of all the DNA instructions used to make an organism. |
Parents | Two organisms of the same species that mate and produce offspring. |
Offspring | Any organism that resembles its parent. |
Heredity | The biological process when genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next. |
Inherited Trait | Features that are passed down from parents to their children and determined by genetics. Examples are hair color, eye color, height. |
Learned Behavior | A behavior that is learned by the offspring and not a part of their genes. Examples are intelligence, sports ability, and favorite things. |
Dominant Gene | Also called the dominant allele or trait, is a gene that shows the characteristics of another gene and is outwardly seen. |
Recessive Gene | Also called the recessive allele or trait, a gene that hides a certain dominant trait and is not outwardly seen. |