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ELL Biology Ch 5
Heredity and Genetics
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| trait | an inherited characteristic |
| heredity | the passing of traits from parents to offspring |
| genetics | the study of heredity |
| gene | a factor that controls inherited traits |
| dominant | describes a gene or trait that will always show itself |
| recessive | describes a gene or trait that will be hidden when the dominant gene or trait is present |
| homozygous | having two like genes for the same trait |
| heterozygous | having two unlike genes for the same trait |
| genotype | the gene combination for a given trait in an organism |
| phenotype | the appearance of a trait in an organism |
| Punnett Square | a chart that shows possible gene combinations |
| DNA | the large molecules in a cell that store genetic information |
| RNA | a molecule in a cell used in the making of proteins |
| pedigree | a chart that shows how a certain trait is passed from generation to generation |
| mutation | a change in a gene |
| genetic engineering | the methods used to change the genetic information in the DNA of cells or organisms |