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Genetics
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Heredity | Heredity refers to the passing of traits or characteristics from parents to offspring through genetic information. Genes, which are segments of DNA, carry the instructions for making proteins that determine our traits. Heredity plays a significant role in |
| Trait | Heredity refers to the passing of traits or characteristics from parents to offspring through genetic information. Genes, which are segments of DNA, carry the instructions for making proteins that determine our traits. Heredity plays a significant role in |
| Genetics | Genetics is the study of genes, which are the instructions for making proteins and carrying out various functions in our bodies. Genes are passed down from parents to their children and determine traits like eye color, height, and susceptibility to certai |
| Fertilization | Fertilization is the process in which a sperm cell and an egg cell fuse together to form a new organism. This process involves multiple steps, including sperm maturation, sperm-egg signaling, sperm-egg fusion, and the formation of a zygote. Fertilization |
| Purebred | Purebred dogs are dogs that belong to a specific breed and have parents of the same breed. They are bred for specific traits and characteristics, such as appearance, temperament, and working abilities. Purebred dogs often have predictable traits and behav |
| Gene | The term "gene" has evolved over time and its definition has changed. Initially, the term "gene" was used to describe an abstract "unit of inheritance" with no specific material attributes. However, as our understanding of genetics advanced, the definitio |
| Allele | An allele is a variant form of a gene. Genes are made up of DNA and provide instructions for the development and functioning of our bodies. Each gene can have different versions, or alleles, which can result in variations in traits such as eye color or bl |
| Dominant allele | A dominant allele is a variant of a gene that is expressed and determines the phenotype (observable trait) of an organism, even if only one copy of the allele is present. In other words, if an individual inherits a dominant allele from either parent, it w |
| Recessive allele | A recessive allele is a variant form of a gene that is only expressed when an individual has two copies of that allele (homozygous). In the presence of a dominant allele, which is expressed even when there is only one copy, the recessive allele remains hi |
| Hybrid | The term "hybrid" can have different meanings depending on the context. In the context of mattresses, a hybrid mattress refers to a combination of spring coils and foam layers for added comfort. In genetics, hybrid refers to the offspring of two different |
| Punnett square | A Punnett square is a diagram used in genetics to predict the possible outcomes of a cross between two individuals and determine the probability of certain traits being inherited by their offspring. It was developed by Reginald Punnett and is based on the |
| Phenotype | A phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which can include physical features, behaviors, and physiological functions. It is the result of the interaction between an organism's genetic makeup (genotype) and its environ |
| Genotype | Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual, specifically the combination of alleles (different versions of a gene) that an individual inherits from their parents. It is represented by the two alleles for a particular gene. Genotype plays a cru |
| Homozygous | Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a specific gene. In humans, we inherit two alleles for each gene, one from each parent. If both alleles are the same, we are homozygous for that gene. This can have implications for physical traits and |
| Heterozygous | Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene. Each person inherits one allele from their biological mother and one allele from their biological father. Heterozygosity is common and occurs in many individuals for various genes. |
| Incomplete dominance | Incomplete dominance refers to a pattern of inheritance where neither of the two alleles for a particular gene is completely dominant over the other. Instead, the heterozygous genotype (having two different alleles) results in a phenotype that is intermed |
| Codominance | Codominance refers to a situation where two different alleles of a gene are equally expressed in a heterozygous individual. This means that both alleles are fully expressed and contribute to the phenotype of the individual. It is different from dominance, |
| Multiple alleles | Multiple alleles refer to the presence of more than two different versions of a gene in a population. Each individual still carries two alleles for a specific gene, but there are more than two possible alleles in the population as a whole. This genetic va |
| Polygenic inheritance | Polygenic inheritance refers to the inheritance of traits that are influenced by multiple genes. Unlike single-gene inheritance, where a trait is determined by a single gene, polygenic traits are controlled by the combined effects of multiple genes. Each |
| Messenger RNA | Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of genetic material that carries the instructions from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are made. It acts as a template for protein synthesis. mRNA vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccines, use a small piece of mRNA to in |
| Transfer RNA | Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It acts as an adaptor between the genetic information encoded in mRNA and the amino acids that make up proteins. tRNA molecules have a specific sequence of three |
| Mutation | Mutation refers to any change or alteration that occurs in the DNA sequence of an organism. It can happen spontaneously or as a result of external factors such as radiation or exposure to certain chemicals. Mutations can occur in different parts of the ge |
| Sex chromosomes | Sex chromosomes are specialized chromosomes that determine the sex of an individual. In most mammals, including humans, males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX). However, the specific composition of sex chromos |
| Sex-linked gene | Sex-linked genes are genes that are located on the sex chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes in mammals). These genes play a role in determining the biological differences between males and females. In mammals, including humans, sex-linked genes are primarily |
| Carrier | The term "carrier" can have different meanings depending on the context. In the medical field, it can refer to carrier oils, which are used to dilute essential oils and apply them safely to the skin. Carrier oils, such as coconut oil and jojoba oil, also |
| Genetic disorder | Genetic disorders are medical conditions that are caused by changes or mutations in genes. Genes are the instructions for making proteins, which perform various functions in our cells. When there is a mutation in a gene, it can affect the protein's struct |
| Pedigree | Pedigree refers to a diagram or chart that shows the genetic relationships within a family. It is commonly used in medical genetics to assess hereditary influences on diseases. Pedigrees can provide a pictorial representation of diseases within a family a |
| Karyotype | A karyotype refers to the complete set of chromosomes in an individual or species. It is a visual representation of the chromosomes arranged in pairs according to their size, shape, and banding patterns. Karyotyping is an important tool in genetics and cy |
| Selective breeding | Selective breeding is a process in which individuals with desired traits are chosen to reproduce, with the goal of producing offspring with those desired traits. This process is commonly used in agriculture and animal breeding to improve characteristics s |
| Inbreeding | Inbreeding refers to the mating or reproduction between individuals who are closely related, such as siblings or cousins. It can have both positive and negative effects on populations. Inbreeding can increase the likelihood of inheriting harmful genetic t |
| Hybridization | Hybridization refers to the process of interbreeding between different species or populations, resulting in offspring that have a combination of genetic traits from both parents. It can occur naturally in the wild or be induced artificially in a laborator |
| Clone | In biology, the term "clone" refers to genetically identical cells or organisms that are asexually descended from a common progenitor. Cloning can be used to create an exact genetic replica of another cell, tissue, or organism. There are different types o |
| Genetic engineering | Genetic engineering is the use of molecular biology technology to modify DNA sequences in genomes. It involves various approaches, such as homologous recombination, random integration of DNA, and guided endonucleases. The most widely applied method is CRI |
| Gene therepy | Gene therapy is a medical approach that involves introducing normal genes into the body to treat or prevent diseases caused by genetic disorders. It holds promise for treating a wide range of conditions, including genetic disorders, cancer, and certain ac |
| Genome | The genome refers to the complete set of genetic material (DNA) present in an organism. It contains all the instructions needed for the development, functioning, and reproduction of that organism. The human genome, for example, consists of approximately 3 |
| Ethics | Ethics is the study of principles of right and wrong. It is an important aspect in various fields, including medicine. In medicine, ethical issues can arise in areas such as end-of-life care, abortion, genetic testing, birth control, organ donation, patie |
| Meiosis | Meiosis is a specialized cell division process that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It is responsible for the production of haploid gametes (sperm and eggs) with only one copy of each chromosome. Meiosis involves two rounds of chromosome segrega |
| Crossing Over | Crossing over is a genetic process that occurs during meiosis, the cell division that produces sperm and eggs. It involves the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, resulting in the creation of new combinations of genes. This proces |
| Zygote | A zygote is the earliest stage of development in human reproduction. It is formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg, resulting in the fusion of their genetic material. The zygote contains all the necessary genetic information to develop into a human being. I |
| Gametes | Gametes are specialized reproductive cells that are involved in sexual reproduction. In mammals, gametes are sperm cells in males and egg cells (or oocytes) in females. Gametes are haploid, meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes compared to o |
| Protein Synthesis | Protein synthesis is the process by which cells build proteins using the information encoded in DNA. It involves two main steps: transcription and translation. During transcription, DNA is transcribed into RNA molecules, specifically messenger RNA (mRNA). |
| Autosomal Chromosomes | Autosomal chromosomes are the 22 pairs of chromosomes in our cells that are not involved in determining biological sex. They contain about 20,000 genes that are responsible for various traits and conditions. Autosomal chromosomes come in pairs, with one c |