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Unit Heredity
Term | Definition |
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DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that is present in all living cells and that contains the information that determines the traits that a living thing inherits and needs to live |
Chromosomes | in a eukaryotic cell, one of the structures in the nucleus that are made up of DNA and protein; in a prokaryotic cell, the main ring of DNA |
Cell Cycle | the life cycle of a cell |
Interphase | the period of the cell cycle during which activities such as cell growth and protein synthesis occur without visible signs of cell division |
Mitosis | in eukaryotic cells, a process of cell division that forms two new nuclei, each of which has the same number of chromoksomes |
Cytokinesis | the division of the cytoplasm of a cell |
Homologous Chromosomes | chromosomes that have the same sequence of genes and and the same structure |
Meiosis | a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes to half the original number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells |
Asexual Reproduction | reproduction that does not involve the union of sex cells and in which one parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent |
Sexual Reproduction | reproduction in which two sex cells from two parents unite to produce offspring that share traits from both parents |
Fertilization | the union of a male and female gamete to from a zygote |
Heredity | the passing of genetic material from parent to offspring |
Gene | one set of instructions of inherited trait |
Allele | one of the alternative forms of a gene that governs a characteristic |
Genotype | the entire genetic make-up of an organism; also the combination of genes for one or more specific traits |
Phenotype | an organism's appearance or other detectable characteristics |
Dominant | in genetics, describes an allele that is fully expressed whenever the allele is present in an individual |
Recessive | describes an allele that will be masked unless the organism is homozygous for the trait |
Incomplete Dominance | a condition in which two alleles are expressed such that the phenotype of a heterozygous individual is an intermediate of the phenotypes of the two homozygous parents |
Codominance | a condition which two alleles are expressed such that the phenotype of a heterozygous individual is a combination of the phenotypes of the two homozygous parents |
Punnett Square | a graphic used to predict the results of a genetic cross |
Probability | the likelihood that a future event will occur in any given instance of the event |
Ratio | a comparison of two numbers using division |
Pedigree | a diagram that shows the occurrence of genetic trait in several generations of a family |